Former Somerset bowler Ken Biddulph has died

Former Somerset paceman Ken Biddulph has died suddenly at his home in Amberley near Stroud in Gloucestershire at the age of seventy.

Ken, who was born at Chingford in Essex joined Somerset in 1955 and played in 91 first class matches before he left the staff in 1961. During his years with the Cidermen he took 270 wickets at an average of 27.62,his best year being 1960 when he accounted for 83 batsmen.

After leaving Somerset Ken Biddulph played minor county cricket for Durham for eight seasons with considerable success, and in 1963 he topped the county averages by taking 61 wickets at a cost of just under 14 runs each.

Former Somerset all rounder Ken Palmer who played alongside Ken Bidddulph during his years at the County Ground told me: "Ken was a big tall guy. He was a nice lad who was great company to be with and he was always willing to help anybody.

He continued: "He used to bowl massive inswingers and when I first came to Taunton I couldn't bowl that ball so during one winter he showed me how and I really appreciated that."

Right up to the end of his life Ken was involved in coaching cricket. He was still bowling in the nets just before Christmas 2002 and had planned a weeks coaching course in April 2003.

His funeral will take place at the parish church in Amberley on Thursday January 16th.