{"id":294,"date":"2026-03-31T10:44:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T10:44:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=294"},"modified":"2026-03-31T10:44:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T10:44:05","slug":"ex-england-star-who-postponed-wedding-to-play-for-his-country-dies-suddenly-aged-67","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=294","title":{"rendered":"Ex-England star who postponed wedding to play for his country dies suddenly aged 67"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_548649\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Tributes have poured in following the death of Tony Pigott, who made one Test appearance for England against New Zealand in 1984 &#8211; having postponed his wedding in order to play<\/h2>\n<p><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36662781\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Apr 1996:  Portrait of Tony Pigott of Surrey County Cricket Club. Mandatory Credit: Phil Cole\/ALLSPORT\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36662781.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-1244540.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36662781.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-1244540.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36662781.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-1244540.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36662781.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-1244540.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Sussex legend Tony Pigott has sadly died\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Sussex legend Tony Pigott has sadly died<cite aria-label=\"Image: Phil Cole\/ALLSPORT\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Phil Cole\/ALLSPORT)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Former England cricketer Tony Pigott has died at the age of 67. Pigott, took more than 1,000 wickets in his professional career, passed away on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The ex-Sussex seam bowler had suffered a heart attack, having previously won a battle with oesophageal cancer. As a player, Pigott was known for his record in the County Championship and one-and-only appearance for England which went down in cricket folklore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In 1984, the London-born star received a late call-up for his country as they prepared for a Test match against New Zealand in Christchurch. The only problem? Pigott was supposed to get married during the series.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Deciding not to let England down, he postponed his wedding and flew out to New Zealand. Pigott didn&#8217;t leave empty-handed, taking two wickets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MirrorSport#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<article class=\"Teaser_teaser__XImzE OpinionTeaser_teaser-opinion__u0ZfS\" data-testid=\"opinion-teaser\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36649492\">\n<div class=\"Teaser_cover-wrapper__VVV7O\" data-testid=\"opinion-teaser-image\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36649509.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s540\/0_GettyImages-2249492713.jpg 540w\" media=\"undefined\" data-testid=\"source-element\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36649509.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s650\/0_GettyImages-2249492713.jpg 650w\" media=\"undefined\" data-testid=\"source-element\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36649509.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s948\/0_GettyImages-2249492713.jpg 948w\" media=\"undefined\" data-testid=\"source-element\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36649509.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s650\/0_GettyImages-2249492713.jpg\"\/><\/picture>\n<p><label data-testid=\"label\" class=\"Label_label__pFaDj Label_secondary__nOPjT label--section-color\"><span data-testid=\"label-text\" class=\"Label_text__tRLWj\">OPINION<\/span><\/label><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"OpinionTeaser_content-wrapper__TVVPL OpinionTeaser_large__m6_Lk\">\n<div data-testid=\"teaser-author\" class=\"TeaserAuthor_author__h_bIR TeaserAuthor_large__QjYde\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34921601.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s338a\/1_WhatsApp-Image-2025-03-19-at-213352.jpg\" alt=\"Author avatar\"\/><span class=\"TeaserAuthor_author-name__YmKL2\">Jeremy Cross<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_09d958\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">England cricketers slapped with World Cup curfew after boozy Ashes antics<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Unfortunately, it wasn&#8217;t to be a dream debut for Pigott as the hosts won by an innings and 132 runs inside three days at Lancaster Park. He never played for England again.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">At county level, the seamer spent 18 years at Sussex before moving to Surrey in 1994. Pigott struggled with recurring injuries and became the club&#8217;s second-team coach.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Pigott eventually returned to Sussex in 1997 and went on to become their CEO after leading a takeover. He helped lay the foundations for Sussex&#8217;s success in the early 2000s, as they won their first County Championship title in 2003.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Also during his reign, Pigott worked to ensure that Hove became the first cricket ground in the UK to install floodlights. He was nicknamed &#8216;Lester&#8217; &#8211; most likely after the famous jockey, Lester Piggott.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36662782\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36662782\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.61\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Bob Taylor of England encourages Tony Pigott during the 2nd Test match between New Zealand and England at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, New Zealand, 3rd February 1984. (Photo by Patrick Eagar\/Popperfoto via Getty Images\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36662782.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-585032446.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36662782.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-585032446.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36662782.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-585032446.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36662782.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-585032446.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Tony Pigott during his one-and-only appearance for England in February 1984\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Tony Pigott during his one-and-only appearance for England in February 1984<cite aria-label=\"Image: Patrick Eagar\/Popperfoto via Getty Images\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Patrick Eagar\/Popperfoto via Getty Images\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Tributes have poured in since the news of Pigott&#8217;s death. Former Sussex captain Chris Adams, who Pigott signed from Derbyshire in 1998, paid a heartfelt tribute via <a aria-label=\"Sussex's websiteLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/sussexcricket.co.uk\/news\/remembering-tony-pigott-1958-2026\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Sussex&#8217;s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Tony was one of, if not, the biggest positive transformative influences in the history of the club,&#8221; Adams said. &#8220;(It is) an incredibly sad day for his family, the Sussex family and indeed the broader family of cricket.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Personally, Tony played an enormous part in moulding my life for the better and was the number one reason I signed for Sussex in 1998. A really loveable, glass half full character who will be missed dearly by many.<\/p>\n<div class=\"HtmlEmbed_container__x6svQ\">\n<figure data-testid=\"embed-placeholder\" class=\"EmbedPlaceholder_figure__NLMFl undefined false\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" viewbox=\"0 0 90 90\" fill=\"none\" data-testid=\"consent-placeholder-icon\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_10846_5865)\"><circle opacity=\"0.16\" cx=\"45\" cy=\"45\" r=\"33.75\" fill=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\"\/><path d=\"M21.1351 21.1351C15.0276 27.2427 11.25 35.6802 11.25 45C11.25 63.6396 26.3604 78.75 45 78.75C54.3198 78.75 62.7573 74.9724 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351C27.2427 15.0276 35.6802 11.25 45 11.25C63.6396 11.25 78.75 26.3604 78.75 45C78.75 54.3198 74.9724 62.7573 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351L68.8649 68.8649\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\" stroke-width=\"7.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"clip0_10846_5865\"><rect width=\"90\" height=\"90\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><figcaption>Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Thank you &#8216;Lester&#8217; for everything you did for Sussex CCC, the 2003 Championship in my eyes will always be dedicated to you and the brave few who stood up and were counted in 1997.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Adams later posted another tribute on social media platform X. &#8220;Incredibly sad, such a loveable character who will be missed by so many,&#8221; he wrote. &#8220;Thoughts and hugs with all blessed to have known &#8216;Lester&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ex-Sussex wicket-keeper and former umpire Ian Gould posted on social media: &#8220;It&#8217;s terribly sad. 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