Ex-England star Alan Ward dies as former membership problem tribute to ‘thrilling’ record-breaker
A former England star has sadly died at the age of 78 as his beloved club paid tribute to a ‘thrilling’ record-breaker and sent their condolences to his friends and family
Former England fast-bowler Alan Ward has sadly died(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
A former England star has sadly died as his beloved club paid tribute to him in a moving statement.
Fast-bowler Alan Ward, 78, made five Test appearances between 1969 and 1976 and was part of the Ray Illingworth-led squad who toured Australia in 1970-71. England won the seven-match series 2-0 to regain the Ashes for the first time since 1959, but Ward’s tour was ruined by injury and the Derbyshire-born paceman was replaced by Bob Willis.
Ward – who took 460 first-class wickets at an average of 22.61 between 1966 and 1978 for Derbyshire and Leicestershire – made his Test debut against New Zealand at Lord’s in 1969.
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After playing three Tests against New Zealand that summer and one versus Pakistan in 1971, Ward was recalled to face the all-conquering West Indies at Headingley in 1976.
He took four wickets in the match to take his Test haul to 14 and received a standing ovation for a 47-minute duck as his batting partner and captain Tony Greig tried in vain to secure a memorable England win.
Ward spent a decade at his native Derbyshire and in 1970 became the first bowler to take four wickets in four balls in a limited overs match.
He ended his career with a two-year spell at Leicestershire and would later emigrate to Australia with his wife Helen in 2001.
Heritage officer David Griffin wrote on the Derbyshire website: “For Derbyshire followers in the late 1960s and the 1970s the sight of Alan Ward, smoothly approaching the crease before letting loose a delivery of high pace will remain one of the most thrilling recollections, for when he got everything right, there was no finer sight.
“Everyone connected with Derbyshire County Cricket Club would like to extend their condolences to Alan’s family and friends.”
