Ray Illingworth RIP

Former England & Yorkshire captain Ray Illingworth has passed away at the age of 89.
A true legend of the game, with a playing career spanning 32 years. Making his Yorkshire debut aged 19 in 1951. With 10 years at Leicestershire from 69-78, finishing as Yorkshire captain in 83 with the Sunday League Trophy.
He amassed 24,134 first class runs & 2,072 wickets, & led Yorkshire to 3 successive County Championships from 66-68.
He had 61 Test appearances, 31 as captain from 58-73 with 1,836 runs & 122 wickets.

Absolute legend.

R.I.P.

One of England's best ever cricket captains RIP

(25-12-2021 22:36 )Charlemagne Wrote:  One of England's best ever cricket captains RIP

Totally second that and a true gentleman too

I bet Mike Atherton cried over his turkey

^^ I'd like to think Athers reaction to the news would've been appropriate, & respectful.

The role of Cricket Supremo in the role now occupied by Silverwood, came too late for Illingworth, by which time he was out of touch with the modern game, & as is the case now, too much for one man.
No ones perfect, he made mistakes, in his career but got more right than wrong. After being part of a Yorkshire side that dominated cricket with 7 Championships in 9 years, he brought success to Leicestershire, with 4 One Day Cups & a Championship. As a captain he had to deal with some difficult characters, with Boycott at Yorkshire, Snow for England & had a massive influence on Gower, who has spoken fondly of him.
On his return to Yorkshire as manager, he came out of retirement * led the side to the Sunday League, but sadly Yorkshire finished bottom of the Championship for the first time in their history. Despite the odd failure along the way, he was one of the games true greats.

Overnight, one of his great contemporaries, Ian Chappell spoke of a mutual respect that they had for each other, coming from a man who's not often forthcoming with praise for anyone, least of all a Pom, it was high praise.

Cricket was his life, Allrounder, captain, commentator, administrator, & he would operate the roller at Farsley as groundsman in his 70's.

I particularly like the words of cricket writer David Hopps "Shrewd, combative, inflexible. unapologetically Yorkshire. RIP

One of the great Yorkshiremen with a remarkable, lengthy and multi-faceted life in cricket.

I hope England can rouse themselves to do something in this 3rd test in his memory.

May he Rest in Peace.