Victoria Cricket Club are in mourning after the passing of all-rounder Byron Wyngard.
The 32-year-old Wyngard was an established Western Province Cricket Association premier league player – and loyal servant to Victoria Cricket Club on and off the field.
A competitive cricketer and friendly personality, Wyngard was appreciated by many team-mates and opposition players for 15-plus years in WPCA club cricket.
“Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Victoria Cricket Club assistant hub coach and player Byron Wyngard, who sadly passed away this morning. May his dear soul rest in peace,” read a brief statement from the WPCA.
Former Proteas Rory Kleinveldt and Dane Piedt were among his team-mates at Victoria Cricket Club.
Wyngard played plenty of club cricket in the United Kingdom, including stints with Linden Park Cricket Club, Shenfield Cricket Club and Aston Manor Cricket Club.
Tributes from other WPCA clubs
Cape Town Cricket Club said:
“CTCC have had an incredibly close bond with Victoria Cricket Club over the years. Byron represented the old guard, which isn’t as prevalent in club cricket as it used to be. That’s a big loss from a cricketing perspective.
“On a human level, he was an incredibly nice guy and had a soft nature. He was willing to give credit where it was due, congratulating guys for doing well, etc. That was combined with fierce competitiveness.
“This is a massive loss for club cricket and in general. We celebrate the huge, positive impact he made on club cricket in Cape Town. He deserves to be remembered in such an incredibly positive light. That’s definitely how Cape Town Cricket Club will remember him.”
Primrose Cricket Club added:
“We, the executive and members at Primrose CC, would like to express our sincerest condolences to the family of Byron Wyngard and the cricket fraternity in the Western Cape. We feel your pain. May you find comfort in the many memories Byron leaves behind. May God make it easier to accept. RIP.”
File image: Byron Wyngard (back, far right).