Tributes paid to Dick English

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Suffolk all-rounder Dick English, who has passed away aged 81.

Dick, who made his Suffolk debut in 1960, played 82 Minor Counties Championship matches for Suffolk.

He scored 2,633 runs in 137 innings at an average of 21.06, with a highest score of 119. He also took 134 wickets at an average of 22.00.

Hadleigh CC Chair Simon Gladwell said: “The club is deeply saddened to learn that our former President and Life Member Richard English has passed away.

“Richard was one of the finest players the club has ever produced. Over a long playing career, he became the club’s all-time leading wicket taker (2,040 wickets) and the second highest run scorer (26,094).

He made his debut for Suffolk in 1960 and remains our most capped county player, with 82 matches.

“He captained the 1st XI for a number of seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. After he retired as a player in 2004 he became our President and organised our popular tours to Norfolk and Kent, as well as playing a leading role in our Bicentenary celebrations.

“A minute’s silence will be held before all our matches this weekend, and funeral details will be announced in due course.”

Dick, who was living in Polstead, still watched the club play most Saturdays.

Suffolk CCC President Tony Warrington, who played with Dick for Suffolk and against him at club level, said: “Dick was a very talented all round cricketer who excelled at batting, bowling and fielding.

“For Suffolk he was first choice on the team sheet for the selectors as he was a top order batsman, and front line off spin bowler.

“Added to this his fielding was outstanding. If you dared take a quick single to Dick in the covers, you did so at your peril. Unfortunately, his County career was ended prematurely when he sustained a very bad injury although he still managed to play club cricket.

“When playing for Suffolk you knew that he would score runs regularly or take wickets with his flighted off spinners or he would take a brilliant catch.

“In club cricket Dick was a prominent member of the Hadleigh first team and led them to many victories with a high score or several wickets or, indeed both.”

Suffolk CCC Secretary Toby Pound said: “Dick English was one of the great characters of Suffolk cricket – always excellent company and fun to talk to – quite apart from being a skilful all-rounder.

“His report of the Gillette Cup match against Kent in 1966 for the 2016 edition of the Suffolk handbook was a masterpiece. He will be sorely missed by the whole Suffolk cricketing fraternity.”

Tags: Dick English, Hadleigh CC, Simon Gladwell, Toby Pound, Tony Warrington

Categorised in: Club Cricket