Epic cycle to honour ex-Scotland cricket captain Con de Lange

Two former teammates of late Scotland cricket captain Con de Lange are embarking on an epic cycling challenge to raise money for cancer research in his memory.

Craig Wallace and Ali Evans aim to pedal 672 miles – representing the fact that De Lange was the 672nd person to play cricket for Scotland.

Their seven-day route across the east of the country will encompass some of De Lange’s favourite clubs and destinations.

South Africa-born De Lange died at the age of 38 in 2019, 16 months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Craig and Ali’s mammoth cycle journey gets underway in Dundee on Friday and their journey will also take in St Andrews, Perth, Aberdeen and Edinburgh before finishing up in Carnoustie.

Coronavirus restrictions meant the original plan to visit many county grounds in England, including Northampton and Blackburn, have been scrapped.

Craig said: “Con was just such a proper, genuine and nice man; one of the finest gentleman I have ever met.

“He was always the one who would go round the dressing room, checking everyone was OK. He loved pulling pranks on us and would always have some kind of remote control spider or snake, which he would leave lurking around someone’s hotel room when we were away on tour.

“I’m fortunate to have met him through cricket. Con represented Scotland in 2015 and took the team from strength to strength.

“It’s where I and so many got to see his cheeky smile, his caring attitude and most importantly his competitive nature, every day.”

De Lange began his cricket career in his native South Africa in 1998, playing for the likes of Knights and Free State and had two years with Northants before playing for Ferguslie and Clydesdale in Scotland.

He also coached Clydesdale and Western Warriors.

De Lange captained Scotland to their first 50-over victory over an ICC full member in May 2017, hitting the winning runs as Scotland chased down 287 against Sri Lanka.

He took five wickets as Scotland recorded their first one-day international triumph against a full member when they beat Zimbabwe later that year.

De Lange is survived by his wife Claire and their two children, Daisy and Rory.

Craig and Ali’s Cycle for Con has already raised £4,600 for the charity Brain Tumour Research,

Gus Mackay, Chief Executive of Cricket Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see the cricket community come together to raise nearly £5,000 to support Craig and Ali’s #Cycle4Con challenge in honour of the late Con de Lange.

“Cricket Scotland is behind Craig and Ali all the way, and we can’t wait to follow along with their progress and see how much is raised for Brain Tumour Research.”

To sponsor Craig and Ali, visit www.justgiving.com/craig-wallace4 and their journey can be followed by using the hashtag #CycleforCon.