Norman Reid (cricketer)
Norman Reid was a South African cricketer who played one Test for South Africa in 1921.
Born in Cape Town, Reid was educated at Diocesan College in Rondebosch and at Oriel College, Oxford, where he was awarded a rugby union Blue in 1912 and 1913. In the First World War he served in South-West Africa with the Imperial Light Horse before transferring to the Royal Field Artillery in France. He was wounded twice and received the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. On his return to South Africa he became a solicitor.
Reid was a lower-order batsman, right-arm bowler and brilliant fieldsman who played for Western Province from 1920 to 1923. He took 4 for 52 and 1 for 21 and made 25 runs for once out when Western Province lost to the touring Australians at Newlands in November 1921. He was selected for the Third and final Test that began on the same ground four days later and made 17 runs and took two wickets. It was his only Test.
Reid died in June 1947 in what his Wisden obituary cryptically described as "tragic circumstances". Later research by Brian Bassano and David Frith revealed that Reid was murdered by his mentally unstable wife who then committed suicide. Reid's body was found in his bed on 18 June 1947, shot in the head. His death certificate concluded that the death took place during the night of 5–6 June 1947.
