Worcestershire stalwart Jack Flavell dies

Jack Flavell, the former England and Worcestershire fast bowler, has died suddenly at his home at Barmouth. He was 74.

Flavell was a mainstay of Worcestershire when they won their first two Championships in 1964 and 1965, but was unable to repeat his county success when he was called upon by England. He played four Tests - all against Australia in 1961 and 1964 - but took only seven wickets at 52.42.

He was considered by contemporaries to be one of the quickest bowlers in the country in the 1950s, but he was prone to be erratic. In later years he cut down on his pace and concentrated on control to good effect. He performed three hat-tricks in his career, and three times took nine wickets in an innings. He was prone to injuries, but his wholehearted approach to the game enabled him to overcome them.

His best season was in 1961 when he headed the national averages with 171 wickets at 17.79. But his contributions to Worcestershire's first two titles - he took 101 wickets in 1964 and 132 the following year - made him a hero at New Road.

Flavell also played football for West Bromwich Albion and Walsall. After retiring he became landlord of a pub.