Victor Munden (1928-2016)

Leicestershire County Cricket Club are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Victor (Vic) Munden.

A slow left arm spinner who made 228 first-class appearances matches for Leicestershire CCC in a 12-year career, Victor claimed 368 first-class wickets at a highly impressive average of 28.34 and also scored 5,681 runs for his hometown club.

Victor broke into the First XI at the time when another great left arm spinner, Jack Walsh, was in the Leicestershire CCC line-up.

At the time of his death, Victor was Leicestershire's oldest surviving first-class cricketer. He made his debut whilst on leave from the RAF in the 1940s, and in his second match, Victor’s cool batting saved the club from defeat against Yorkshire.  

Victor became a very useful all-rounder, scoring over 1000 runs in 1952, and taking 87 wickets in 1955, in which year he played in the Scarborough cricket festival, appearing for the Players against the Gentlemen.

He was a member of the successful 1953 Leicestershire team that finished third in the County Championship, taking a hat-trick in the victory over Derbyshire at Ashby (Victor is seen presented with a trophy celebrating this feat in the picture above). Victor made two first-class career centuries and also took 14 five-wicket hauls, including a best return of 6-33.

The Munden family has had a long association with the club, with three other family members representing Leicestershire CCC at either First XI or Second XI level.

Victor’s younger brothers Donald and Paul made a combined 54 first-class appearances for Leicestershire CCC. His son David played for the club’s Second XI and toured the West Indies with England Young Cricketers in 1976 in a side that included David Gower, Chris Cowdrey, Mike Gatting, Paul Allott, Bill Athey and Ian Gould.

David then became a very well-known and highly regarded photographer but was sadly forced to retire when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Leicestershire CCC held a fundraising testimonial for David in June last year.

Leicestershire CCC would like to pass on its deepest sympathies and condolences to the Munden family at this extremely difficult time.