Ted Dexter passes away at the age of 86

One of England’s greatest cricketers ever – Former England captain Ted Dexter,  passed away on Thursday (August 26), aged 86, in Wolverhampton. A middle order batsman and medium pacer, Dexter played 62 Tests in a decade-long international career that lasted from 1958 to 1968.

Dexter featured in 62 Tests for England scoring 4502 runs at an average of 47.89 powered by 9 centuries and 27 half centuries. He registered his highest score of 205 against Pakistan at Karachi in 1962. He also picked 66 wickets for his team at an average of 34.93 with 2 four wicket. He registered his best of 4-10 against Pakistan at Leeds.

He led England in 30 Tests and scored 2427 runs at an average of 53.93 with the help of 4 centuries and 17 half centuries. England won 9 Tests and lost 7 Tests under his leadership.

Dexter still holds the record for most runs in an Ashes series in Australia by an England captain, where he scored 481 runs during the 1962-63 tour. In 1962, he stroked six successive half-centuries – against Pakistan and Australia – a statistic that’s bettered by only six other batsmen. Dexter also stroked nine Test centuries, with a highest score of 205.

The former Sussex cricketer was a prolific run-getter in first-class cricket, scoring 21150 runs in 327 matches, apart from picking 417 wickets at an average of 29.92 with his medium pace. A batsman who was known for his aggressive game against fast bowling, brought forward his best against KentFollowing his career as a cricket player, Dexter turned his attention towards golf and went on to win the Oxford & Cambridge President’s Putter three times. He also worked as a broadcaster and writer, and even served as the chairman of the selection committee for the England national team from 1989 to 1993. He is also credited with helping form the ICC players’ rankings system.

England cricketers were seen sporting black arm bands in memory of Ted Dexter during the second day’s play at Leeds against India.