RIP Brian Close

[sherb]

Youngest man to play Test Cricket for England, a career that spanned 27 years, in which he played Test matches in 4 different decades.

We can never forget that vision of him on the receiving end of a barrage from the West Indies in 1976 at the age of 45.

What a tough nut he was. RIP.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cr...was-the-bravest-man-to-ever-play-cricket.html

 

[worbod]

Close performed the double in his first season of first class cricket (1949), which included him making his Test debut after 18 first class games. A right handed bowler and a left handed batsman, Close later became an ambidextrous golfer.

 

[Demosthenes]

Was just thinking about him the other day. Odd how that happens.

 

[worbod]

Because of an injury to Ray Illingworth at the end of the 1972 Test series versus Australia, the England selectors called up Close to captain the team in the one day series which followed. Close thus holds the honour of having captained England to its first one day international victory.

 

[Hellgood]

Legendary figure and a consistent feature in many a players autobiography - some great anecdotes about him in books by Viv, Botham, Kerry O'Keefe, Simon Hughes and I'm sure many more.

Shame to lose both two of the most per-eminant leaders from that era in him and Clive Rice so close.

 

[ManWithNoName]

Faced the WIndies at the peak of their powers without a helmet or any chest/arm guards. Extraordinarily brave cricketer.

 

[The_Reaper]

Don't know much about him beyond that one over from Holding but I have a lot of respect for him.

 

[skilts]

A close of innings.