Fred Ridgway 1923-2015 October 2, 2015

Kent and England bowler Ridgway dies

ESPNcricinfo staff
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Former Kent bowler Fred Ridgway, who played five Tests on England's 1951-52 tour of India, has died aged 92. He was England's second-oldest living Test player, behind Don Smith.

A right-arm seamer who took more than 1000 first-class wickets, Ridgway represented Kent for 16 seasons after World War II. In 1951, he achieved the feat of taking four wickets in four balls against Derbyshire.

The following winter he was selected for England, part of a squad missing Len Hutton, Peter May, Denis Compton and Alec Bedser. Ridgway opened the bowling alongside Brian Statham, taking seven wickets at 54.14, and was part of the side beaten in Chennai as India recorded their first Test victory.

Ridgway was also a capable footballer and played semi-professionally for Ramsgate FC in the Kent League.

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  • Huw on October 3, 2015, 7:24 GMT

    Have I got the wrong guy here, but wasn't he England's last mustachioed player until Graham Gooch?

  • Huw on October 3, 2015, 7:24 GMT

    Have I got the wrong guy here, but wasn't he England's last mustachioed player until Graham Gooch?

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  • Huw on October 3, 2015, 7:24 GMT

    Have I got the wrong guy here, but wasn't he England's last mustachioed player until Graham Gooch?