Pat Symcox

Patrick Leonard Symcox (born 14 April 1960 in Kimberley) is a retired Test and ODI cricketer for South Africa. He played 20 Tests and 80 ODIs in the 1990s and also represented the Natal Dolphins in provincial cricket in Durban.

A right-arm off-spin bowler, Symcox was known for his powerful lower-order batting and scored a Test century against Pakistan. He is co-holder of the highest ever ninth-wicket partnership of 195 runs and retired from professional cricket in 1998. His family is one of only ten in South Africa to have produced three generations of first-class cricketers, with his father Rodger and his son Russel both playing provincial cricket.

During an ODI against Australia at the SCG in late 1997, play was stopped after the crowd pelted Symcox with projectiles, including a whole chicken, in one of the more infamous moments in cricket history.

After retiring from playing, Symcox became a well-known cricket commentator for SuperSport and ESPN Star Sports, covering matches around the world.

He later moved into business and now owns the RE/MAX Coast and Country property franchise on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, operating in both the residential and commercial property sectors.

Symcox is also a popular after-dinner speaker and an accomplished golfer with a single-figure handicap. Known as one of the tough men of the 1990s Protea team, he played under captains Kepler Wessels and Hansie Cronje. Prior to his cricket career, he managed private hospitals and worked for Masters International as a managing agent representing many of South Africa’s top sportsmen.