Former Derbyshire captain Willatt dies aged 85

The former Derbyshire captain, Guy Willatt, died today at the age of 85 after a long illness. Willatt, who also played for Cambridge University, Nottinghamshire and Scotland in a 23-year career, captained Derbyshire between 1951 and 1954.

As a technically sound left-handed opening batsman, Willatt passed 1000 runs in a season on four occasions, including a best of 1624 in 1952 and a highest score of 146. He was also a fine football player, and obtained his Blue at Cambridge. After his retirement, Willatt was chairman of Derbyshire for four years between 1986 and 1990.

As a tribute, Derbyshire and Surrey players and spectators observed a minute's silence before today's C&G Trophy match at the Racecourse Ground.