Former England bowler Graham Dilley dies aged 52
Graham Dilley, one of England's 1981 Ashes-winning heroes, has died after a short battle against cancer aged 52.
Dilley passed away at a hospice in Leicester this morning having been taken there earlier in the week.
He was twice divorced and leaves four children including Chris Pennell, captain of Premiership rugby club Worcester, from his first marriage.
Dilley played 40 Tests and 36 one-day internationals between 1979 and 1989 as a fast bowler but is probably best remembered for the role he played as a batsman in the 1981 Ashes Test at Headingley.
Dilley shared a match-turning eighth wicket partnership of 117 in 80 minutes with Ian Botham. Dilley's contribution was a belligerent 56, his highest Test score.
Dilley trained as a diamond cutter with a Hatton Garden jeweller and was summoned from his day job to make his debut for his native Kent at the age of 18 in 1977.
He was just 20 when he made his England debut in a one-day international against the West Indies at Sydney in November 1979.
He made his Test debut in Perth two weeks later and impressed in defeat, taking three wickets in the match and an unbeaten 38 in England's first innings.Dilley went on to take 138 Test wickets including six five wicket hauls with a best of six for 38 against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1988.
He joined Worcestershire in 1987 and helped them win the County Championship in 1988 and 1989 though increasing injuries forced him into retirement in 1992.
Dilley then had spells coaching at Surrey, as bowling coach to the England women's team and as assistant coach to the England senior squad in India ten years ago.
More recently he worked as director of cricket of Loughborough University which he was taken ill.
"Graham made a life-long contribution to the game of cricket at all levels and we are deeply saddened by the news this morning," ECB chief executive David Collier said in a statement.
"He will be fondly remembered for his contributions both as a player and a coach.
"Graham inspired many young cricketers through the University programme and was a highly respected coach to our representative teams.
"Few will forget his contribution during the historic Ashes win at Headingley in 1981 and the part he played in two Ashes series victories.
