Former England cricketer Tony Pigott has passed away at 67. Pigott, renowned for taking over 1,000 wickets in his career, died on Sunday.
The ex-Sussex seam bowler suffered a heart attack after overcoming oesophageal cancer. Pigott, known for his accomplishments in the County Championship and a memorable appearance for England, received a surprise call-up in 1984 for a Test match against New Zealand in Christchurch. Despite having wedding plans during the series, Pigott chose to delay the ceremony to honor his commitment to the national team and flew to New Zealand, where he managed to take two wickets.
Although his debut match resulted in a loss for England, Pigott never played for the national team again. At the county level, he spent 18 years at Sussex before moving to Surrey in 1994 due to persistent injuries, eventually transitioning to a coaching role for the second team. In 1997, Pigott returned to Sussex, leading a takeover and later becoming the CEO, contributing to the team’s success in the early 2000s, culminating in 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 with such facilities. Fondly nicknamed ‘Lester,’ possibly after the renowned jockey Lester Piggott, tributes have poured in following his demise. Former Sussex captain Chris Adams, who Pigott had signed for the team in 1998, expressed heartfelt condolences, highlighting Pigott’s pivotal role in the club’s history and his personal influence on Adams’ career decisions.
Adams, in a tribute on social media, described Pigott as a beloved character dearly missed by many. Former Sussex wicket-keeper Ian Gould also expressed sadness over Pigott’s passing, referring to him as one of cricket’s great personalities. Sky has recently enhanced its TV and sports bundle, offering additional streaming services alongside extensive sports coverage, including Premier League matches, Formula 1, darts, and golf.