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Worcestershire, March 9 (HS). Former Worcestershire player, administrator and bat manufacturer Duncan Fearnley has died on Friday at the age of 83.
Originally from Pudsey, Farnley, moved to Worcestershire in 1960 after starting his career in the Yorkshire Seconds, and played 97 matches as a left-handed batsman over seven seasons, including the club's County Championship win in 1964 , in which he scored 687 runs with the help of 4 half-centuries.
After leaving the club in 1968, he returned as captain of the Second XI in 1972, by which stage his Worcester-based bat manufacturing business was flourishing, producing batsmen of the era including Sunil Gavaskar, Ian Botham, Graham Gooch and Allan Border. Many of the greatest players were using bats he made.
He also served as President from 2011 to 2013 and was later elected as Honorary Vice President. In 2005, in collaboration with former Bank of England Governor Mervyn King and broadcaster Mark Nicholls, he co-founded the cricket charity Chance to Shine, which helped reintroduce cricket into government schools in England and Wales.
Worcestershire acting chairman Paul Pridgeon said in an official statement released by the club: “Duncan's passing is a huge loss. His contribution as a player, an administrator and an ardent supporter of the club was immeasurable. He was the heart and soul of Worcestershire CCC, leaving an indelible mark on the club. His legacy as a bat-maker and his deep love for the club will always be remembered. Today, we have lost a true cricket legend.”
