Key Points

Former England fast bowler Ken Shuttleworth has passed away at the age of 80. He was part of the historic 1970-71 Ashes-winning team in Australia. Shuttleworth also took England's first-ever wicket in One-Day Internationals. He enjoyed a successful county career with Lancashire, taking 484 first-class wickets.

Key Points: England Fast Bowler Ken Shuttleworth Passes Away at 80

  • Made Test debut in 1970-71 Ashes-winning tour of Australia
  • Took England's first-ever ODI wicket in 1971
  • Claimed 484 first-class wickets for Lancashire
  • Won three consecutive Gillette Cups with Lancashire from 1970-72
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Former England pacer Ken Shuttleworth passes away at 80

Former England and Lancashire pacer Ken Shuttleworth, who played a key role in the 1970-71 Ashes-winning tour, has died aged 80.

"We were the first team since Douglas Jardine's in 1932 to win the Ashes in Australia - Ken Shuttleworth"

New Delhi, August 26

Former Lancashire and England fast bowler Ken Shuttleworth passed away at the age of 80, according to ESPNcricinfo on Tuesday.

Shuttleworth represented England in five Tests in 1970 and 1971, and made his debut in the series opener of that winter's Ashes-winning tour of Australia. He claimed five wickets in the second innings at Brisbane. Under the captaincy of Richie Benaud, he toured Pakistan with the Commonwealth Team in 1967/8.

He also played for England against the Rest of the World at Lord's in June 1970. In his solitary appearance in the ODI, he took England's first wicket in the format, in the maiden fixture at the MCG in January 1971.

"I just took it as another game. We got stuck, which you expect when you're out there, but we were the first team since Douglas Jardine's in 1932 to win the Ashes in Australia," Shuttleworth said of his Test debut as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

A towering, strongly built, right-arm quick, Shuttleworth stormed in with a long run armed with a side-on action and genuine pace. He was born in St Helens and joined Lancashire in 1964.

"I was bowling as quick as what you see the fast bowlers bowl now. Brian and Ken Higgs were still the two main bowlers, with Peter Lever and myself taking turns as the third seamer," Shuttleworth told The St Helens Star in 2021, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

Shuttleworth removed Geoff Boycott for his maiden first-class wicket at Old Trafford, and went on to finish with 484 scalps at 22.92 for Lancashire. After his stint with Lancashire concluded, Shuttleworth scythed 99 wickets more for Leicestershire in the latter seasons of his career.

In 1968, he achieved his best figures against Essex. He brought thunder on the ground and blazed his way to figures of 7/41 at Leyton and went on to finish the season with a haul of 73 wickets, 65 of which came for his County side. Two years later, he bettered his best and scythed 74 wickets at an average of just over 21.

As the One-Day format gained prominence with the passage of time, Shuttleworth's short and tenacious spells stood at the forefront of Lancashire's success. His heroics included a hat-trick of Gillette Cup wins in 1970, '71 and '72 and two Sunday League titles in 1969 and 1970. His best figures of 5/13 included the wicket of Garry Sobers at Trent Bridge in 1972.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
May his soul rest in peace. Interesting that he played in Pakistan with Commonwealth Team in 1967/68. Those were different times for cricket diplomacy between our countries.
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Arjun K
Amazing career! Taking England's first ODI wicket and being part of that historic Ashes win in Australia. These players from that generation were real tough cricketers without all the modern facilities.
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Sarah B
While I respect his achievements, it's worth noting that cricket was very different back then. The game has evolved so much in terms of professionalism and global reach. Still, pioneers like Shuttleworth laid the foundation.
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Vikram M
Hat-trick of Gillette Cup wins! That's some achievement. These county players from that era were workhorses - playing all formats without complaining. Modern players should learn from their dedication.
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Michael C
Taking Garry Sobers' wicket in his best figures of 5/13 - now that's something to tell your grandchildren about! True legend of English county cricket. RIP.

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