Former England cricketer Tony Pigott has passed away at 67. Pigott, who achieved over 1,000 wickets during his career, died on Sunday.
The ex-Sussex seam bowler suffered a heart attack after overcoming oesophageal cancer. Pigott was renowned for his performance in the County Championship and his sole appearance for the England cricket team, which became a memorable event.
In 1984, Pigott received a sudden call-up to play for England in a Test match against New Zealand in Christchurch. Despite having plans to get married during the series, Pigott postponed his wedding to honor the opportunity. He managed to secure two wickets during the match.
Unfortunately, Pigott’s debut match for England ended in a loss to the hosts at Lancaster Park. Despite this setback, Pigott never got another chance to play for the national team.
At the county level, Pigott spent 18 years at Sussex before transferring to Surrey in 1994 due to recurring injuries. He later returned to Sussex in 1997 and eventually became the CEO after facilitating a takeover. Pigott played a crucial role in Sussex’s success, leading them to their first County Championship title in 2003.
During his tenure, Pigott spearheaded the installation of floodlights at Hove, making it the first cricket ground in the UK to have them. He was affectionately nicknamed ‘Lester,’ possibly in reference to the famous jockey, Lester Piggott.
Following Pigott’s death, tributes have poured in from the cricket community. Former Sussex captain Chris Adams expressed his deep appreciation for Pigott’s influence on the club and his personal life. He credited Pigott for his decision to join Sussex in 1998 and remembered him as a positive and impactful figure.
Other cricket personalities, including Ian Gould, also mourned Pigott’s passing, highlighting his charismatic personality and significant contributions to the sport.
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