Cricket mourns death of legendary Worcestershire captain

A left-arm spinner, Gifford took more than 2,000 first-class wickets during a three-decade long career which also saw him captain Warwickshire and England, the latter at the age of 44.

The majority of his playing days were spent at New Road, where he was part of the team which won the Pears’ first-ever County Championship title in 1964.

Those exploits earned Gifford a first England call-up and he went on to play in 15 Test matches before making history when he was recalled to skipper the team in two one-day internationals in 1985, becoming the oldest-ever debutant captain.

Born in Cumbria, Gifford earned his first contract with Worcestershire after answering an advert in a cricket magazine offering trials at the club.

He went on to play for the Pears for 22 years, taking 1,615 first-class wickets and helping them to three County Championship titles, with the first 1964 triumph followed by further wins in 1964 and 1974, Gifford captaining the team to the latter.

Success was not limited to the game’s longest format. Gifford also captained the Pears to the first of three Sunday League title wins in 1971.

In 1975 he was nominated for Wisden’s cricketer of the year award and three years later was honoured with an MBE for services to cricket. 

Gifford moved from Worcestershire to Warwickshire in 1983 and spent five years with the Bears, including some as captain, before eventually retiring at the age of 48 with 2,068 first-class wickets to his name.

His contribution to both counties was recognised in 2016 with the introduction of the Norman Gifford Trophy, awarded to the winners whenever the rivals meet in the T20 Blast.

After retiring from playing, Gifford later returned to Worcestershire as club president, before later being offered an honorary vice presidency role.

A Pears statement read: “Everyone at Worcestershire County Cricket Club would like to offer their sincere condolences to the family, who are all in our thoughts.”