Edwin Schreiber

Edwin Frederick Schreiber (31 May 1936 – 7 October 2010) was a South African cricketer who played first-class cricket for Border from 1954 to 1967.

Edwin Schreiber, an off-spin bowler, was the mainstay of the Border spin attack from 1954-55, when he made his debut as an 18-year-old, until 1961-62.[1] He bowled well for Border against the touring MCC in 1956-57 and Australians in 1957-58.[1] In the 1957-58 season he was the second-most successful South African bowler (behind Hugh Tayfield), with 38 wickets at an average of 21.92.[2]

He was widely expected to take Tayfield's place as South Africa's principal Test spinner when Tayfield retired after the 1957-58 series,[3] but Tayfield returned after taking only the 1958-59 season off while Schreiber's form fell away from its peak.[4]

Schreiber was a very economical bowler, conceding only 1.88 runs per over in his first-class career.[1] In 1958-59 he took 11 for 103 off 72.4 overs in the match against North-Eastern Transvaal.[5] His best innings figures were 8 for 67 against Eastern Province in 1957-58.[5] He was a magnificent fielder, especially at cover. In a club match for Buffaloes against Queenstown he ran out four batsmen in one innings with direct hits.[1]