Former England cricketer Tony Pigott, who achieved over 1,000 wickets in his career, has passed away at the age of 67. Pigott, a former Sussex seam bowler, died after suffering a heart attack following his battle with oesophageal cancer. He gained recognition for his performances in the County Championship and his sole appearance for the England team, which has become a part of cricket history.
In 1984, Pigott received a sudden call-up to play for England in a Test match against New Zealand in Christchurch. Despite having wedding plans during the series, Pigott decided to postpone his wedding to honor his commitment to the national team. During the match, he managed to secure two wickets, although England faced a defeat by an innings and 132 runs within three days at Lancaster Park, marking Pigott’s only international appearance.
At the county level, Pigott had an 18-year stint with Sussex before transferring to Surrey in 1994. Due to persistent injuries, he transitioned to coaching the second team for Surrey. Pigott later returned to Sussex in 1997, where he eventually became the club’s CEO after facilitating a takeover. His contributions were pivotal in laying the groundwork for Sussex’s triumph in the County Championship of 2003.
During his tenure, Pigott played a key role in installing floodlights at Hove, making it the first cricket ground in the UK to have this feature. He was affectionately nicknamed ‘Lester,’ possibly in reference to the renowned jockey, Lester Piggott.
Following Pigott’s demise, tributes have poured in from the cricket community. Former Sussex captain Chris Adams expressed his deep appreciation for Pigott’s influence on the club and his personal life, highlighting the significant role Pigott played in his career and the success of Sussex. Other figures in the cricket world, such as ex-Sussex wicket-keeper Ian Gould, also mourned Pigott’s passing, acknowledging his positive impact on the sport.
In related news, Sky has announced a price reduction for its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering substantial savings and an expanded lineup of live matches, including over 1,400 matches across various leagues. Sky’s coverage will feature a minimum of 215 live Premier League games this season, representing a significant increase in live match offerings.
