Former England Batsman Doug Insole Dies Aged 91
Aug 7, 2017 at 9:21 AM
Former England batsman and administrator Doug Insole passed away on Saturday night(August 5) aged 91. Insole represented England in nine Tests, scoring 408 runs and scored more than 25,000 first-class runs with the help of 54 centuries. But despite scoring heavily in the first-class cricket, he was better known for his influence on the game after the end of his playing career, having served as the president of the Essex Cricket Club and the Marleybone Cricket Club (MCC).
He served on the MCC committee for almost 40 years and was named the club’s president in 2006. He was an England selector for 19 years during which time he oversaw the dropping of Geoffrey Boycott after the batting legend scored a double century and Basil D’Oliveira’s controversial omission from a touring party to South Africa – and served as chairman of the Test and County Cricket Board when Kerry Packer had launched World Series Cricket.
The Essex legend served the county as captain, chairman and president- a role he maintained until his death.
“It is with deep regret that Essex County Cricket Club announces the passing of former player, captain, chairman and president, Doug Insole CBE, who passed away peacefully at home last night, at the age of 91 years old,” an Essex statement said. “Doug was one of the most outstanding players and administrators in cricket and affectionately known by everyone at the Club as ‘Mr Essex’.”
Insole made his international debut in 1950 during the home series against West Indies but made only 9 appearances over the next 7 years before retiring after scoring a duck in his last innings against South Africa in 1957. He was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1956 and received a CBE for services to cricket in 1979.