Former England cricketer Tony Pigott has passed away at 67. Pigott, a renowned seam bowler who achieved over 1,000 wickets during his career, died on Sunday.
The ex-Sussex player had previously battled oesophageal cancer and suffered a fatal heart attack. Pigott was recognized for his exceptional performance in the County Championship and his memorable sole appearance for the England cricket team.
In 1984, Pigott received a last-minute call-up to play for England in a Test match against New Zealand in Christchurch. Despite having wedding plans during the series, Pigott postponed his marriage to honor the call and flew to New Zealand, where he managed to take two wickets.
Regrettably, Pigott’s debut for England ended in disappointment as the hosts secured an innings victory by 132 runs within three days at Lancaster Park. This marked Pigott’s only game for the national team.
At the county level, Pigott spent 18 years at Sussex before transferring to Surrey in 1994. Due to recurring injuries, he transitioned to become the second-team coach at Surrey. In 1997, Pigott returned to Sussex and later became the CEO after facilitating a takeover. His efforts contributed to Sussex’s triumph in the County Championship in 2003.
During his tenure, Pigott spearheaded the installation of floodlights at Hove, making it the first cricket ground in the UK with the facility. He was affectionately referred to as ‘Lester,’ likely in homage to the renowned jockey, Lester Piggott.
Following Pigott’s demise, tributes have poured in from the cricket community. Former Sussex captain Chris Adams expressed deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting Pigott’s significant impact on the club’s history and his personal life.
Adams credited Pigott for influencing his decision to join Sussex in 1998 and praised his positive and supportive character. Pigott’s contributions to Sussex CCC, particularly the 2003 Championship victory, were honored by Adams in his tribute.
Additional tributes flooded social media platforms, with ex-Sussex wicket-keeper and former umpire Ian Gould describing Pigott as a remarkable character. Sky announced an upgrade to its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, now offering an extensive range of channels and coverage of various sports leagues, including the Premier League and EFL matches. Sky’s coverage includes over 1,400 live matches across different sports, ensuring a comprehensive viewing experience for sports enthusiasts.
