Former England cricket player Tony Pigott has passed away at 67. Pigott, known for his career with over 1,000 wickets, died on Sunday.
The former Sussex seam bowler had a heart attack after battling oesophageal cancer. Pigott was recognized for his performances in the County Championship and a memorable appearance for the England team.
In 1984, Pigott received a sudden call-up to play for England in a Test match against New Zealand in Christchurch. Despite having a wedding planned during the series, Pigott chose to delay it and flew to New Zealand, where he managed to secure two wickets.
Unfortunately, Pigott’s debut match did not go as planned, as the hosts defeated England by an innings and 132 runs within three days at Lancaster Park, leading to Pigott never playing for England again.
During his time in county cricket, Pigott spent 18 years at Sussex before moving to Surrey in 1994 due to recurring injuries. He later returned to Sussex in 1997 and eventually became their CEO, contributing to the team’s success, including their first County Championship title in 2003.
Pigott was instrumental in installing floodlights at Hove, making it the first cricket ground in the UK to have them. He was affectionately known as ‘Lester,’ possibly named after the renowned jockey, Lester Piggott.
Following Pigott’s death, tributes poured in from various individuals, including former Sussex captain Chris Adams, who credited Pigott as a significant influence on the club’s history and his personal life.
Adams expressed deep sadness and appreciation for Pigott’s impact on Sussex Cricket Club and remembered him as a positive and influential figure. Ian Gould, a former Sussex wicket-keeper and umpire, also shared his sorrow, calling Pigott one of the great characters in the world.
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