Former England cricketer Tony Pigott has sadly passed away at the age of 67. Pigott, who achieved over 1,000 wickets during his professional career, died on Sunday.
The ex-Sussex seam bowler, who had battled oesophageal cancer previously, suffered a fatal heart attack. Pigott was renowned for his performance in the County Championship and his memorable sole appearance for the England team, which has become a part of cricket history.
In 1984, Pigott received a last-minute call-up to join the England squad for a Test match against New Zealand in Christchurch. Despite having wedding plans during the series, Pigott postponed his wedding to honor the call and flew to New Zealand. He managed to take two wickets during the match.
Unfortunately, Pigott’s debut did not go as planned, as the hosts triumphed by a significant margin. Subsequently, Pigott did not represent England in another match.
At the county level, Pigott spent 18 years playing for Sussex before transferring to Surrey in 1994 due to recurring injuries. Following his return to Sussex in 1997, Pigott became the CEO after leading a successful takeover. He played a pivotal role in setting the stage for Sussex’s triumph in the County Championship in 2003.
During his tenure, Pigott initiated the installation of floodlights at Hove, making it the first cricket ground in the UK to have floodlights. He was affectionately nicknamed ‘Lester,’ likely inspired by the renowned jockey Lester Piggott.
Tributes have been pouring in following Pigott’s demise. Former Sussex captain Chris Adams, whom Pigott signed from Derbyshire in 1998, expressed his deep condolences on Sussex’s website, highlighting Pigott’s transformative influence on the club.
Adams praised Pigott for his positive impact on both the club and his personal life, emphasizing Pigott’s instrumental role in his decision to join Sussex. He described Pigott as a beloved character whose absence will be deeply felt.
Another tribute was shared by Adams on the social media platform X, expressing sorrow over the loss of Pigott, a cherished figure in the cricket community.
Former Sussex wicket-keeper and umpire Ian Gould also took to social media to mourn Pigott’s passing, describing him as one of the great personalities in the world of cricket.
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