Gloucestershire batsman Martin Stovold dies aged 56

Martin Stovold, who played as a batsman for Gloucestershire between 1978 and 1982, has died after a lengthy illness. He was 56.

Stovold followed his better-known older brother Andy from Loughborough College to the county but failed to make the same impression. A left-hand batsman and very occasional offspinner, he made his county debut in 1978 and over the next five season played for the county without ever holding down a regular first-team place in the three-day game, although in 1980 and 1981 he was more in the one-day side than out of it.

In 25 first-class matches he managed 518 runs at 16.70 and in 34 List A games he scored 325 runs at 13.00. He made only two fifties with his best 75 against Oxford University.

He was released by the county in 1982, continuing to coach in South Africa, but returned to England in 1986 where he took up the role of cricket professional at Cheltenham College, becoming master-in-charge in 1993. He also taught geography and was a housemaster.

"Martin was one of the most dedicated teachers in the College's long history and inspiration to generations of young people as a housemaster, geography teacher and master in charge of cricket," Dr Alex Peterken, Headmaster of Cheltenham College, told the PCA. "Just last week he emailed staff from his hospital bed to lament the effect the wet weather was having on the College's cricket schedule. 'The tide will turn and the sun will shine' he said. These proved to be his last public words and the sun now shines on his memory."