Cricket Victoria mourns loss of Ray Jordon

Cricket Victoria has paid tribute to former state wicketkeeper Ray Jordon, who has died aged 75.

Nicknamed “Slug”, Jordon was also a prominent figure in the VFL/AFL as a junior coach.

Fondly remembered for his mentoring skills, his sharp tongue and his even sharper wicketkeeping skills to all types of bowlers, Jordon played 79 first-class matches for Victoria from 1959-60 to 1970-71.

He scored 2237 runs at 26.01 and claimed 260 dismissals, a record later broken by Richie Robinson.

Jordon was Brian Taber’s back-up gloveman on Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka, India and South Africa in 1969-70 and played 11 first-class matches on that tour.

He later served as a Victorian selector.

Cricket Victoria chief Tony Dodemaide said Jordon, who died on Monday, was a character in every sense.

“He was definitely one of those people for whom records and statistics are only a small part of the story,” Dodemaide said on Tuesday.

“Everyone who knew him would have a favourite ‘Slug’ story, usually with an expletive or two thrown in for good measure!

“His loss will be sorely felt within the Victorian cricket community.”

Jordon was revered in Australian Rules circles as a mentor to junior players, and his record as a reserves and under-19 coach at Melbourne, North Melbourne and Richmond in the VFL/AFL included 11 premierships.

He also played 96 matches for Victorian Football Association club Coburg.

Jordon became a popular radio and television sports commentator.

Former Victorian fast-medium bowler Alan Connolly said Jordon would have had trouble with the modern-day pitch microphones.

“Stump-mike wouldn’t have worked with him – it would have had to be turned off all the time,” Connolly told the cricinfo.com website.

Ex-Victorian teammate Max Walker said Jordon was a highly-skilled wicketkeeper with a blunt nature and an amazing way with language.

“If you were on the opposition side, you’d probably reckon his tongue was a bit like a chainsaw,” Walker said.

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