Derbyshire County Cricket Club is saddened to learn of the recent deaths of former overseas player Chris Wilkins and a well-known local cricketer Tony Pope.
Wilkins joined Derbyshire as their first overseas player in 1970 and played 71 first class and 52 List A games over the course of three seasons with the county.
On reflection, he was a cricketer ahead of his time, playing the pinch-hitting role before that term had ever been mentioned in English cricket, producing some explosive limited overs innings, and scoring over 4,000 first class runs for Derbyshire, including nine hundreds and 21 fifties.
Pope (pictured) was the son of Alf, and nephew of George and Harold, all of whom represented Derbyshire. Tony played 2nd XI cricket for the county and played club cricket at Alvaston & Boulton and Ockbrook. He also played a record number of games for the MCC.
In 1999, he was elected to the Club’s General Committee serving a three-year term.
Derbyshire would like to extend their condolences to the families and friends of both Chris and Tony.
