Worcestershire are sad to report the passing away of their former all-rounder, Keith Wilkinson, at the age of 73.
Wilkinson played 49 First Class and 37 List A matches for Worcestershire between 1969 and 1975.
He scored 1,657 First Class Runs with two centuries against Oxford University and Kent.
He was also a useful left-arm medium-pace bowler and, in 1971, returned career-best figures of 5-60 against Sussex at New Road.
In List A cricket, the highlight for Wilkinson was 95 in the home Gillette Cup quarter-final against Nottinghamshire in 1974.
After finishing his professional career, Wilkinson went on to enjoy great success with Old Hill in the William Younger Cup and Cockspur Cup before captaining Kidderminster for many years.
Worcestershire’s Cricket Steering Group Chair, Paul Pridgeon, paid tribute to his former team-mate and flat-mate.
He said: “Although Keith probably didn’t play as much cricket for Worcestershire as he should, he was a larger-than-life character, not just for Worcestershire but a host of clubs in the West Midlands, particularly Kidderminster, where he was a legend.
“He captained the side for many years, was a terrific captain and was very successful in the Birmingham League for them and Old Hill.
“He was a great guy and a good friend, and I shared a flat with him and Gordon Wilcock (Worcestershire wicket-keeper) for three years in Bath Road, Worcester.
“From a personal point of view, when I first came on the playing staff in 1972, he was the sort of senior man in the second team dressing room, and I learnt an awful lot from him.”
Wilkinson was the brother-in-law of former Worcestershire player and Club Chair John Elliott after marrying his sister, Wendy.
Worcestershire send condolences to Wendy and their two sons, Simon and Matthew.
