Former England spinner passes away after battle with illness
Former England and Middlesex spinner Fred Titmus has died at the age of 78 following a long battle with illness.
Titmus played 53 Test matches for England, taking 153 wickets at an average of 32.22 and also scoring 1449 runs.
He was known for the remarkable longevity of his first-class career, which spanned 33 seasons from his debut for Middlesex as a 16-year-old in 1949.
Titmus made his final appearance for the county in 1982 at the age of 50 years and 276 days, making him the oldest player to represent the team at Lord's.
Titmus played 53 Test matches for England, taking 153 wickets at an average of 32.22 and also scoring 1449 runs.
He was known for the remarkable longevity of his first-class career, which spanned 33 seasons from his debut for Middlesex as a 16-year-old in 1949.
Titmus made his final appearance for the county in 1982 at the age of 50 years and 276 days, making him the oldest player to represent the team at Lord's.
Thoughts:
"Middlesex County Cricket Club are deeply saddened to report the death of Middlesex and England legend Fred Titmus, who died this morning after a long illness," a statement on Middlesex's website read.
"All of our thoughts and best wishes are with his wife Stephanie and family.
"Fred will be deeply missed by all those who played with him and by all those who were fortunate enough to have seen him performing for Middlesex and England."
Titmus also came back from a horrific accident prior to the 1967-68 tour of the West Indies, where he caught his foot in a boat propeller and lost four toes.
Former Test umpire Dickie Bird said: "I was at a lunch at Lord's last week for former Test players. I asked about Fred and they told me he wasn't very well. It's very sad news.
"I played against him in county cricket and umpired when he was playing for Middlesex and England. I found him very difficult to get away, his line and length was immaculate - and he still had it at 50.
"Fred was a fine cricketer, a fine off-spin bowler and a very useful batsman. In that era there were so many off-spinners around in the world and he was up there with the best of them."
MCC tribute
Titmus twice served on the MCC Committee and was given an Honorary Life Membership of the club in 1981.
"Fred Titmus was a cricketing legend and a tremendous man," MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said.
"I first came into contact with Fred when I was on the fringes of the England squad - when he was a national selector.
"He'd had a hugely distinguished playing career but had then moved on to become an excellent coach. He was always very supportive and on hand to suggest useful tips.
"Following his election as an Honorary Life Member in 1981, he was an influential member of the MCC Cricket Committee for 19 years, so his passing is a sad day for us all at MCC."
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