The former England captain Ray Illingworth has died at the age of 89, Yorkshire have announced
He served as chair of selectors and England coach in the 1990sPhotograph: Getty ImagesPhotograph: Getty ImagesThe former England captain Ray Illingworth has died at the age of 89, Yorkshire cricket club announced on Saturday. Illingworth, one of the few men to lead England to a Test series victory in Australia, in 1970-71, had been undergoing radiotherapy for esophageal cancer.
He was also a talented footballer and had opportunities to play at two local clubs, Huddersfield Town and Bradford City. But it was his abilities with a small, hard red ball for Farsley in the Yorkshire League that quickly brought him to the attention of Yorkshire county coaches. He excelled for Yorkshire’s seconds and made his debut for the first XI shortly after his 19th birthday.
He would later return to Yorkshire, initially as team manager, though he also managed to make a playing comeback at the age of 50 in 1982. The period was marred by controversies surrounding Geoffrey Boycott, whom Illingworth sacked as captain. Boycott’s supporters would exact revenge by winning control of the Yorkshire committee - a result which brought the end of Illingworth’s Yorkshire career.
He joined what was essentially a sinking ship and hopes were high that his astute reading of the game and simplicity of approach would put things right. Tom Harrison, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, paid tribute to Illingworth on Saturday night, saying: “It’s always incredibly sad to lose a person who has given so much to the English game, and to the sport of cricket in general.
“Our thoughts are with Ray’s family and the wider Yorkshire family who held Ray so dear to their hearts.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nasa’s X-ray boom arm for black hole studies extends in orbitMission is step closer to exploring most energetic and exotic celestial objects in universe
Read more »
Nasa’s X-ray boom arm for black hole studies extends in orbitMission is step closer to exploring most energetic and exotic celestial objects in universe
Read more »
‘Very sad’: Tributes flow as Ashes giant diesTributes have flowed for English cricket legend Ray Illingworth following his death at the age of 89.
Read more »
Christmas Day axe beckons for England’s misfiring battersAfter indicating a squad would be finalised after training, England’s sole selector delayed naming one, adding uncertainty to a campaign that was supposedly four years in the making but has lacked evidence of planning.
Read more »
Wielding the axe: England drop Broad, Burns, Pope, Woakes for critical third TestEngland’s coach and sole selector Chris Silverwood has cut a swath through the touring side’s line-up ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
Read more »
Wielding the axe: England drop Broad, Burns, Pope, Woakes for critical third TestEngland’s coach and sole selector Chris Silverwood has cut a swath through the touring side’s line-up ahead of the Boxing Day Test | danbrettig
Read more »