Former Worcestershire and Warwickshire spinner Norman Gifford dies aged 85
Gifford, who was from Ulverston, began his county cricket career at Worcestershire in 1960
Former England, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire spinner Norman Gifford MBE has died at the age of 85 following a long battle with illness.
Gifford played 15 Tests for England between 1964 and 1973 and captained the national side in two one-day internationals in 1985, at the age of 44.
The left-arm orthodox spinner claimed 2,068 first-class wickets during his three-decade-long playing career, making him the last player to reach that milestone - a record widely believed to stand forever.
Tributes from Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Both Worcestershire and Warwickshire have paid Tribute to Gifford who began his county cricket career at Worcestershire in 1960 and represented the side until 1982.
He helped the team secure back-to-back County Championship titles in 1964 and 1965 and captained them to another title in 1974.
His achievements led to being awarded an MBE in 1978 for his services to cricket.
He also captained Worcestershire to their first Sunday League title in 1971 and returned to the club as President in 2017, before being awarded an Honorary Life Vice Presidency.
Worcestershire County Cricket Club said in a statement:
"Worcestershire County Cricket Club are today saddened to share the news of the passing of Norman Gifford MBE, aged 85, after a prolonged battle with illness."
The club added: "Everyone at Worcestershire County Cricket Club would like to offer their sincere condolences to the family, who are all in our thoughts."
In 1983, Gifford joined Warwickshire, where he played for five years and captained the side between 1985 and 1987.
During his first season, he took 104 wickets in first-class matches. It was the fourth time he had done so in a single season.
Gifford made his ODI debut for England during his time at Warwickshire in 1985, becoming the oldest ODI debutant captain in international cricket at nearly 45 years old.
Legacy
Since 2016, Gifford’s contributions to cricket in the West Midlands have been commemorated in the Norman Gifford Trophy, which is contested annually in Vitality Blast T20 matches between Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
After retiring from professional cricket at the age of 48, Gifford went on to coach at Sussex, Durham and Worcestershire.