Former Test player Walker passes away

LONDON: Peter Walker, who played three Tests for England, has died at the age of 84.According to the BBC, for whom Walker also served as a broadcaster on BBC Wales, he suffered a stroke.

Walker played all his three Tests in 1960, against the visiting South Africans — incidentally, a country where he spent his boyhood years.While his international career stalled at 128 runs, including a high score of 52, he enjoyed a first-class career of 16 years with Glamorgan.

In that time, he accumulated 13 hundreds and 92 fifties in 469 matches, while also taking 834 wickets, including 25 five-wicket hauls. Initially a left-arm pace bowler, he switched to left-arm spin midway through his career.

He was also known to be a strong close catcher. In a tribute, the Glamorgan County Cricket Club explained, “He fully utilised his tall frame when standing fearlessly at short-leg, or in the slips, and he held many stunning catches. His tally of 609 Championship catches is the fifth highest in the history of the English competition.”

After his retirement in 1972, Walker turned to broadcasting, served as chief executive of the Cricket Board of Wales, and went on to be president of Glamorgan County Cricket Club.Hugh Morris, chief executive of the club, said, “A combination of world-class catching ability, aggressive batting and accurate spin made him a triple threat and a brilliant all-rounder. He helped Glamorgan to win a County Championship title and represented England, making him a true legend of the club. We may never see another player quite like him, and he will be missed by everyone at the club.”