Brian Close

ToffeeDoug · September 14, 2015

...has died.

Now there was a character (not all of it savoury though) and a very brave cricketer indeed.

roydo · September 14, 2015

Blimey, thought he had died years ago.

sportbillyblue · September 14, 2015

roydo said:
Blimey, thought he had died years ago.

likewise. I vaguely remember him facing a ferocious West Indies attack with the bare minimum protection .. and he did so without a grumble, unlike Edrich, that fanny bottled it.

roydo · September 14, 2015

sportbillyblue said:
likewise. I vaguely remember him facing a ferocious West Indies attack with the bare minimum protection .. and he did so without a grumble, unlike Edrich, that fanny bottled it.

Could have sworn he had a brain tumour or something. Like ages ago.

Liked the story Trueman used to tell about him (Fred) taking a catch after the ball had smashed into Close's head! Close tried to claim it!

Brendan Janus · September 14, 2015

Never recovered from being battered by Holding & Roberts !!

degsy · September 14, 2015

RIP

#helmetsare4wimps

The Esk · September 14, 2015

RIP

I like the story Boycott tells about BC's driving. Apparently he was one of the world's worst drivers. Boycott was driving up to Scarborough one time and sees a car bent around a tree. Whoever he was with (might have been Phil Sharpe - before they hated each other) they joked "that must be Closey". When they got to Scarborough, he didn't turn up for the beginning of the game - you've got it, it was Close who had wrapped his car around the tree.

ToffeeDoug · September 14, 2015

His book from the 70s was titled "I Don't Bruise Easily". He used to field at short leg, about 2 yds from the batsman, with no protection and grin and chatter away, oblivious to the danger.

Close when at Somerset had a big part to play in the development of Ian Botham.

davids · September 14, 2015

A real sporting hero.I Remember him chesting the ball against the West Indies attack of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith.No padding no helmet.A real cricketer.
From the Daily Telegraph Obit.

"He was already famous for his bravery. In 1963 he had walked down the pitch at Lord’s to Charlie Griffith and Wes Hall, and let the ball hit him. Not madness, not masochism, at least not in Close’s view, but the way to avoid being leg-before-wicket; and he scored 70, his highest score in his 22 Tests."

Brendan Janus · September 14, 2015

mascoq66700 said:
Remember him chesting the ball against the West Indies attack of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith.No padding no helmet.A real cricketer.

Wasn't it Holding & Roberts ?

The Esk · September 14, 2015

Brendan Janus said:
Wasn't it Holding & Roberts ?

Summer of 1963 including one of the best test matches ever at Lords - the one when Cowdrey batted with his arm in plaster.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62930.html

davids · September 14, 2015

Brendan Janus said:
Wasn't it Holding & Roberts ?

He'd done it before in 63,just edited my post to include the Telegraph quote.

davids · September 14, 2015

the esk said:
Summer of 1963 including one of the best test matches ever at Lords.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62930.html

I was 10 at the time and just beginning to realise how much a cricket ball could hurt at speed.I can remember watching him bat in that test in total awe.