County sad to learn of passing of McVicker

Date: Monday 24 November 2008

Leicestershire are sad to learn of the passing of legend Norman McVicker, the bowler who played a massive role in County’s outstanding 1975 double-winning team.

McVicker, who won the County Championship with both Leicestershire and Warwickshire in his first-class career, died following a recent illness in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Our thoughts are with wife Rosemary and the rest of his family at this sad time.

McVicker was an integral part of the Leicestershire team in both the Championship and Benson and Hedges Cup successes in 1975.

The bowler was third in the bowling averages that season with 46 wickets at 25.82 and also scored 482 runs at an average of 34.42 with a best of 83* - his overall best score for the County during his three years at the club.

He completed a remarkable season by claiming the man of the match award in the Benson and Hedges final against Middlesex at Lord’s by taking a brilliant 4-20 from 11 overs.

Overall, the Radcliffe-born bowler, who was also handy with the bat, took 147 first-class wickets for Leics at an outstanding average of 24.43. That included a career-best of 6-19 and included five five-wicket hauls.

He also scored 1364 runs at a useful average of 23.92, to prove he was more than useful with the bat.

The John Player Annual of 1976 recognised McVicker’s outstanding contribution to the club – especially in the great year of 1975.

It read: “Reliable, accurate medium-fast seamer who bowls a line and length and moves the ball. Did a splendid job for Leicestershire and also produced some spirited batting performances from the lower order. A great trier.”

Again, our thoughts are with Norman’s family at this sad time.