Kenneth Higgs (1937-2016)
Wed 7 Sep 2016
Leicestershire County Cricket Club are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great fast-medium opening bowler, Kenneth (Ken) Higgs.
Running in at an angle before whipping the ball down and shaping it with a strong wrist, Higgs claimed more than 1,000 wickets for Lancashire, excelled for Leicestershire, and also collected 71 wickets at a remarkable average of 20.74 in 15 test matches for England.
In a best series where Higgs claimed 24 wickets against West Indies in 1966, he dismissed Conrad Hunte and Rohan Kanhai four times apiece.
After performing so well for Lancashire and England, Higgs left the county circuit to become the cricket professional at Rishton and run a boarding-house in Blackpool in 1969.
Higgs was then talked out of retirement by the late Mike Turner MBE, one of his many masterstrokes at Grace Road.
Leicestershire County Cricket Club Chairman Paul Haywood said: “We are deeply saddened by the news that Ken has passed away. I had the great pleasure of playing alongside Ken and he was a truly great bowler who had a wonderful career record.
“Ken was well-respected by everyone at Leicestershire County Cricket Club and we would like to offer our condolences and sympathies to his family.”
Higgs, a master of his craft, added a further 371 wickets to his first-class tally for Leicestershire at the fantastic average of 25.13. His career record is astonishing - 1,536 first-class wickets taken at 23.61 apiece.
He will also be forever part of history for a remarkable effort with the bat, sharing in Leicestershire’s record partnership for the 10th wicket. The number 11 scored a remarkable 98 in partnership with Raymond Illingworth, the duo putting on 228 against Northamptonshire at Grace Road in 1977.
One of the greatest moments in Higgs’ time at Leicestershire came in the 1974 Benson & Hedges Cup Final. Higgs and Graham McKenzie helped to bowl Surrey out for 170, Higgs ending with figures of 4-10 off seven overs, including a hat-trick (Alan Butcher, Pat Pocock and Arnold Long).
Unfortunately Leicestershire lost that particular game, but Higgs had previously made a telling contribution in the 1972 success against Yorkshire (11-1-33-2) and went on to play a key role in the 1975 B&H win versus Middlesex, taking 1-18 from his ten overs.
It was a superb year for Higgs, who claimed 50 wickets at 29.16, including a best return of 6-62, as Leicestershire also won the County Championship.
Higgs would go on to become the captain at the club and, even after taking on a new role as coach, found time for another remarkable achievement on the field. Leicestershire suffered an injury crisis in 1986, so Higgs answered the emergency call at the age of 49 - and promptly returned figures of 5-22 in 11 overs against Yorkshire after coming on as second change.
A talented all-round sportsman, Higgs was a full England football Youth international who also represented Port Vale in his native Staffordshire.
Ken was married to Mary, who predeceased him, and had two sons, Paul - who played for Leicestershire Second XI - and Terry. The club would like to offer its sincere condolences to Ken’s family at this sad time, and is flying our flag at half-mast as a mark of respect.
* Thanks to Neville Chadwick Photography for the photo of Ken.
