Former Sussex seam bowler and chief government Tony Pigott has died on the age of 67.

Pigott joined Sussex as teenager, taking a hat-trick along with his first three balls on his first-class debut towards Surrey in 1978.

He made a single Check match look for England towards New Zealand in Christchurch in 1984, suspending his wedding ceremony so as to play for his nation after being referred to as up at quick discover as harm cowl.

Pigott left Sussex after 18 years to affix Surrey in 1994, however a collection of harm issues noticed him turn into second crew coach on the Oval two years later.

He returned to Hove in 1997 to guide a takeover of the board and below his management, it turned the primary cricket floor within the UK to put in floodlights.

He recruited Chris Adams from Derbyshire as their new captain in 1998, and though he left his put up the next yr, Adams stated his work helped lay the inspiration for his or her first County Championship title in 2003.

“Tony was one in all, if not, the most important constructive transformative influences within the historical past of the membership”, Adams advised the membership web site, exterior.

“Personally, Tony performed an unlimited half in moulding my life for the higher and was the primary cause I signed for Sussex in 1998. A very loveable, glass half full character who shall be missed dearly by many.

“Thanks ‘Lester’ for every thing you probably did for Sussex CCC”, Adams added. “The 2003 Championship in my eyes will at all times be devoted to you and the courageous few who stood up and have been counted in 1997.”

Pigott took greater than 1,000 wickets in first-class and Checklist A cricket throughout his profession.