Former England and Sussex Seamer Tony Pigott Passes Away at 67

Tony Pigott, the former Sussex and England seamer, passed away at 67. He played one Test for England in 1984 against New Zealand, taking two wickets. Pigott had a 17-year first-class career, claiming 672 wickets and scoring 4,841 runs with one century. After retiring, he served as Sussex CEO (1997-1999) and later joined the ECB as Pitch Liaison Officer (2005-2018). Pigott's contributions to English cricket were significant, and he'll be remembered for his work on and off the field. Pigott debuted for Sussex as a teenager in 1978, and memorably converted his maiden first-class wicket into a hat-trick, against Surrey at Hove, having gone wicketless in his first two appearances. His one and only Test appearance was a similarly notable occasion. He had been playing club cricket in New Zealand when an injury crisis hit the touring England squad in 1983-84, and he had to postpone his wedding - scheduled for the Monday of the match - in order to take part. After leaving his CEO role in 1999, Pigott went on to perform a variety of roles across the county game, including Pitch Inspector and Match Referee. Though beset by ill health in later years, he released his memoirs, Lester and the Deckchair Revolution in November 2025. In 1994, he left Sussex for Surrey, but a series of back injuries forced his retirement two years later, at which point he returned to his home county as second-team coach. What a lovely tribute! Tony Pigott seems to have left an incredible mark on Sussex CCC and the people involved with the club. The quote highlights his positive influence, kindness, and the impact he had on others, including the person writing this tribute. The nickname "Lester" and the reference to the 2003 Championship winning season adds a personal touch, showing the strong bond he shared with his colleagues and players.