Former England Captain Brian Close expires at the age of 84

Former England Captain Brian Close expires at the age of 84: “How can the ball hurt you? It’s only on you for a second,” said the bravest cricketer Brian Close, known for his courage and firmness. The Former captain of England, Somerset and Yorkshire took his last breath yesterday. One of the most loved characters of the game Brian Close died at the age of 84 at his home near Bradford on Sunday.

Close was one of the few post war (World War) players, who gained fame, the tales of his oddities are often recited. The all-rounder made his debut in the year 1949 at the age of 18 and is till date England’s youngest player to win the Test cap. Close loved fielding as much as he did batting or bowling. He played a total of 22 Test matches and led the England side 7 times. He captained Yorkshire to 4 Championship titles.

Close served as the President of Yorkshire club between 2008 and 2010. He was an active member even in his 80s and when England played at Headingly, Close could be seen talking and laughing with Dickie Bird and Geoffrey Boycott.

Yorkshire today came on to the ground wearing a black band in the honour of Brian Close. Bird said at Ageas Bowl where the Yorkshire were taking on the Hampshire in the Championship, “I was completely stunned when Jason Gillespie and Anthony McGrath came out this morning to tell me the sad news that Brian had passed away, I felt very stunned and very numb. I had a lump in my throat and there were a few tears because I have lost a damn good friend.”

“He was a great captain. He led from the front and would come back from all odds. He was a brilliant bloke to play for. He was as straight as a gun barrel. He was a really good all-round cricketer. A good batsman, a good bowler and, of course, brilliant in the field,” said the England first-class cricketer.

“He was a character in many ways. He used to call me ‘lad’. He would have a cigarette on him and I’d say ‘would you like a Whiskey Brian?’ He said ‘yes, I would. Make it a double!’ He will be sadly missed,” he added.

Michael Vaughan, the former Yorkshire batsman and England captain also tweeted “Such a sad day. He was a true inspiration to all of us . Thanks Brian for helping me as a kid growing up at Yorkshire… #RIPClosey.”

Close scored around 35,000 runs in his first class career and took 1171 wickets bowling both medium pace and off spin. His love for fielding is evident from the 800 catches under his name. He led the Yorkshire team from 1963 to 1970 and won the Gillette cup series twice. It was during this period that he was handed over England Test captaincy but lost his position after an year in 1967 even after 6 victories in 7 matches following a controversial Championship match between Yorkshire and Warwickshire in which Close was accused of time wasting.

His reputation as one of the strongest guys came to light especially after Close was called to play a match against bombarding West Indies after 9 years at the age of 45. ‘I Don’t Bruise Easily’, the autobiography of Brian Close sums up his life and love for the game.