Former England cricketer Tony Pigott has passed away at 67 after taking over 1,000 wickets during his career. Pigott, a former Sussex seam bowler, died following a heart attack, having previously battled oesophageal cancer. His legacy includes a notable performance in the County Championship and a memorable appearance for the England team in 1984 against New Zealand.
Despite facing a scheduling conflict with his wedding, Pigott chose to honor his commitment to England, delaying his marriage to play in the Test match against New Zealand. Although he only managed to secure two wickets, his dedication was commendable. Unfortunately, the match ended in defeat for England, and Pigott never had another opportunity to represent his country.
At the county level, Pigott had a lengthy career at Sussex before joining Surrey in 1994. Injuries plagued his later years, leading him to transition into a coaching role for Surrey’s second team. Pigott later returned to Sussex in 1997, eventually becoming the CEO after overseeing a significant takeover. His contributions were instrumental in Sussex’s triumph in the County Championship in 2003, and he was instrumental in the installation of floodlights at Hove, making it the first UK cricket ground to have this feature.
Following Pigott’s death, tributes poured in from the cricket community, with former Sussex captain Chris Adams expressing heartfelt condolences and acknowledging Pigott’s profound impact on the club and cricket as a whole. Pigott, affectionately known as ‘Lester,’ was revered for his positive influence and will be dearly missed by many.
Additionally, ex-Sussex wicket-keeper Ian Gould and former umpire shared his sadness over Pigott’s passing, highlighting the void left by his charismatic presence. Sky has recently enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering an expanded range of content including HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, and more, along with comprehensive coverage of sports events such as the Premier League, EFL, Formula 1, darts, and golf.