Post by degs74 on Mar 23, 2011 14:43:57 GMT 1
Former England off-spinner Fred Titmus has died following a long illness, Middlesex announced today. He was 78.
Titmus played 53 Tests for England and captured 153 wickets, although he was just as well known for the longevity of his career.
His first-class career spanned a remarkable 33 seasons, after he made his debut for Middlesex aged 16 in 1949.
Titmus, who was also a handy lower-order batsman, made his final appearance for Middlesex in 1982 at the age of 50 years and 276 days - making him the oldest player to appear for the county at Lord's.
"Middlesex County Cricket Club are deeply saddened to report the death of Middlesex and England legend Fred Titmus, who died this morning after a long illness," a statement on Middlesex's website read.
"All of our thoughts and best wishes are with his wife Stephanie and family.
"Fred will be deeply missed by all those who played with him and by all those who were fortunate enough to have seen him performing for Middlesex and England."
London-born Titmus, who was also on the books of Watford football club, was involved in an horrific accident shortly before the 1967-68 tour of the West Indies, when he caught his foot in the propellor of a boat and lost four toes.
However, he returned to action for Middlesex in May 1968 and dispelled doubts about his fitness by finishing the season with 111 wickets, as well as leading the county's batting averages.
His final appearance for the county came in 1982, when he was attending a match against Sussex as a spectator. Middlesex captain Mike Brearley called up Titmus on a pitch conducive to spin, and the gamble paid off as he took three wickets for 43 runs to set up a 58-run success.
Former Test umpire Dickie Bird said: "I was at a lunch at Lord's last week for former Test players. I asked about Fred and they told me he wasn't very well. It's very sad news.
"I played against him in county cricket and umpired when he was playing for Middlesex and England. I found him very difficult to get away, his line and length was immaculate - and he still had it at 50.
"Fred was a fine cricketer, a fine off-spin bowler and a very useful batsman. In that era there were so many off-spinners around in the world and he was up there with the best of them."
Bird, now 77, added: "He was a tremendous character and he'd come out with some very funny stuff.
"He was a little deaf and once, after the wicketkeeper had put down a catch, he asked me as he walked past: "Did he nick that one?" I said 'yes' and he said: "I thought he did."
Titmus twice served on the MCC Committee firstly from 1968-69, when he was still a player, and then from 1981-2000.
He was also awarded an Honorary Life Membership of the club in 1981.
"Fred Titmus was a cricketing legend and a tremendous man," MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said.
"I first came into contact with Fred when I was on the fringes of the England squad - when he was a national selector.
"He'd had a hugely distinguished playing career but had then moved on to become an excellent coach. He was always very supportive and on hand to suggest useful tips.
"Following his election as an Honorary Life Member in 1981, he was an influential member of the MCC Cricket Committee for 19 years, so his passing is a sad day for us all at MCC."
Titmus played 53 Tests for England and captured 153 wickets, although he was just as well known for the longevity of his career.
His first-class career spanned a remarkable 33 seasons, after he made his debut for Middlesex aged 16 in 1949.
Titmus, who was also a handy lower-order batsman, made his final appearance for Middlesex in 1982 at the age of 50 years and 276 days - making him the oldest player to appear for the county at Lord's.
"Middlesex County Cricket Club are deeply saddened to report the death of Middlesex and England legend Fred Titmus, who died this morning after a long illness," a statement on Middlesex's website read.
"All of our thoughts and best wishes are with his wife Stephanie and family.
"Fred will be deeply missed by all those who played with him and by all those who were fortunate enough to have seen him performing for Middlesex and England."
London-born Titmus, who was also on the books of Watford football club, was involved in an horrific accident shortly before the 1967-68 tour of the West Indies, when he caught his foot in the propellor of a boat and lost four toes.
However, he returned to action for Middlesex in May 1968 and dispelled doubts about his fitness by finishing the season with 111 wickets, as well as leading the county's batting averages.
His final appearance for the county came in 1982, when he was attending a match against Sussex as a spectator. Middlesex captain Mike Brearley called up Titmus on a pitch conducive to spin, and the gamble paid off as he took three wickets for 43 runs to set up a 58-run success.
Former Test umpire Dickie Bird said: "I was at a lunch at Lord's last week for former Test players. I asked about Fred and they told me he wasn't very well. It's very sad news.
"I played against him in county cricket and umpired when he was playing for Middlesex and England. I found him very difficult to get away, his line and length was immaculate - and he still had it at 50.
"Fred was a fine cricketer, a fine off-spin bowler and a very useful batsman. In that era there were so many off-spinners around in the world and he was up there with the best of them."
Bird, now 77, added: "He was a tremendous character and he'd come out with some very funny stuff.
"He was a little deaf and once, after the wicketkeeper had put down a catch, he asked me as he walked past: "Did he nick that one?" I said 'yes' and he said: "I thought he did."
Titmus twice served on the MCC Committee firstly from 1968-69, when he was still a player, and then from 1981-2000.
He was also awarded an Honorary Life Membership of the club in 1981.
"Fred Titmus was a cricketing legend and a tremendous man," MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said.
"I first came into contact with Fred when I was on the fringes of the England squad - when he was a national selector.
"He'd had a hugely distinguished playing career but had then moved on to become an excellent coach. He was always very supportive and on hand to suggest useful tips.
"Following his election as an Honorary Life Member in 1981, he was an influential member of the MCC Cricket Committee for 19 years, so his passing is a sad day for us all at MCC."