Worcestershire County Cricket Club are today saddened to share the news of the passing of Norman Gifford MBE, aged 85, after a prolonged battle with illness.
A former Worcestershire captain, Norman enjoyed an illustrious playing career that saw him win the County Championship with the Pears in 1964, with his exceptional form rewarded by virtue of a call-up to the England side later that summer, where he went on to represent his country 17 times between 1964 and 1973, including 15 Test Matches and two One Day Internationals.
Norman, represented Worcestershire with distinction for 22 years, between 1960 and 1982, with the famed spinner taking a remarkable 1,615 first-class wickets during that time.
Nominated for the Wisden Cricketer of the year in 1975, Norman was honoured in 1978, when he was awarded an MBE for his services to cricket.
After his time as a player at New Road, Norman went on to represent Warwickshire for five years between 1983 and 1988, where he captained the side before eventually retiring from cricket at the age of 48.
In his later years, Norman returned to his beloved Worcestershire as Club President, before being awarded an Honorary Vice Presidency Role.
Norman’s contribution to both Worcestershire and Warwickshire was recognised in 2016, when the two counties began to compete for the Norman Gifford Trophy, a longstanding tradition that sees both clubs contest the trophy in both Vitality Blast T20 matches each year.
Everyone at Worcestershire County Cricket Club would like to offer their sincere condolences to the family, who are all in our thoughts.
