Vale Hedley Brian Taber (April 29, 1940 July 21, 2023)

Cricket NSW is deeply saddened by the passing of former Australian and NSW wicketkeeper Brian Taber yesterday. He was 83.

Born in Wagga Wagga and raised in Wollongong, Taber played his entire career with the Gordon club.

He made his first-class debut with NSW cap number 526 in 1964/65 and played 129 first-class matches before retiring in 1973/74.

Taber also captained NSW on several occasions in 1968/69 and 1972/73.

Although he scored one first-class ton and eight half-centuries, he was known for his batting at Tabers.

Secure and calm under pressure, Taber was regarded as one of Australia’s greatest ever keepers. He made his debut behind the stumps for Australia (240) against South Africa in Johannesburg on 23 December 1966, finishing the match with seven catches and a stumping.

In all, Taber represented Australia 16 times between 1966 and 1970, taking 56 catches and making four drops. He also scored 353 runs in 16 overs.

After his playing career ended, Taber continued his passionate relationship with cricket, holding various coaching and management positions. He captained the Australian men’s under-19 team on several occasions and the winner of the National U/19 Championships Player of the Tournament award is now awarded the Brian Taber Medal.

Taber, known as Tabsy or Herbie, coached NSW and was a Blues selector for 24 years in the 1990s and 2000s, many as chairman of selectors.

Taber became a life member of the CNSW in 1979 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.

Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon called Taber one of the most popular NSW and Australian players of all time.

We are devastated by the death of Brian Taber and send our condolences to his family and friends, Germon said.

His contribution to Australian cricket was immense as a player, coach, manager and selector.

Tabsy was universally loved both for his skill as a wicketkeeper and his character as a person.

He was such a nice, genuine guy and he will be missed by everyone.