Lancashire mourn stalwart Pilling

FREE-SCORING batsman Harry Pilling pictured in his Lancashire gear in 1986

CRICKET:

LANCASHIRE Cricket Club have paid tribute to former batsman Harry Pilling, who has died aged 69 after a long illness.

Pilling spent 18 years at Old Trafford in the 1960s and 70s, memorably striking an unbeaten 70 to help the county to their first Gillette Cup in 1970.

"LCCC is saddened to hear the news that our former player Harry Pilling has passed away. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time," the club said.

Pint-sized Pilling scored consistently as a middle-order batsman in the County Championship and also in the one-day game.

After that 1970 success, he and the team went on to repeat the feat in the Lord’s finals of 1971, 1972 and 1975.

In the John Player League competition, with innings of 40 overs, the one-county man was the first batsman to register 1,000 runs.

Ashton-born Pilling came through the ranks at Stayley in the Saddleworth League.

At Old Trafford, he passed the 1,000 runs per season mark eight times.

In first-class cricket he made 15,279 runs in 333 matches, with 25 centuries.

His final appearance with the Lancashire first team was in 1982. He is survived by his son Gary and daughter Julie.




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