Former Dutch captain and long-time VOC Rotterdam stalwart Anton “Ton” Bakker passed away on Monday at the age of 80. A respected leader, he was synonymous with one of the Netherlands’ oldest cricket clubs. Bakker was selected for the first team in 1959 and became a mainstay for the Rotterdam club throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

A stylish yet highly effective batsman, Bakker amassed 7,499 runs for VOC 1 at the top level, averaging 32.46 per innings. Among his many achievements, he recorded a memorable 201* against Kon. UD in 1976, one of the rare double centuries by a Dutch batter.

During his career with VOC 1, Bakker helped secure the national championship titles in 1965, 1974, 1975, and 1977. For the Netherlands, he scored 2,101 runs, with a top score of 108* against London County in 1975, and captained the national side on twenty occasions.

Bakker joined CTC Flamingos in 1964 and went on to score 3,441 runs outside the regular leagues, including a highest of 113. Across his career, he recorded sixteen centuries, twelve of which came for VOC. Exceptionally sharp in the field, he twice took four catches in a single match and claimed ten or more catches in a season on five occasions.

His sporting legacy continued through his sons Marc and Dave, both of whom represented VOC 1 and the Dutch national team. After retiring from cricket, Bakker embraced golf, excelling as a member of Golfclub Broekpolder and the Orange All Stars, and enjoyed competing in South Africa, where his son Dave manages several hotels.

He leaves behind his partner Sabine, children and grandchildren and will be heavily missed by the Dutch cricket community.