It's worth remembering that he outscored Botham in that partnership at Headingley, when they came to the wicket Botham is supposed to have simply said "let's give it some humpty". The rest is history. Sadly he fell out with the powers that be at Kent who knowing that he was due a testimonial in a year or two offered him a low contract. Dilley packed his bags for Worcestershire but persistent injuries meant that he never fulfilled his potential and he retired early. Cricketers in those days were poorly paid and needed the testimonial to set themselves up for their post cricketing career. By not staying at Kent Dilley had a few lean financial years before he got a regular job coaching at Loughborough.
I think, given his unauthodox bowling action, he was liable to pick up injuries. Nasty neck injury in Pakistan just as he was becoming an England regular cost him a whole season. Sad that he left Kent just as hit his career peak.
Such sad news. He was one of my first Kent heros (ok crush) & recall all the matches mentioned, him batting left handed and bowling right handed, v side-on bowling action. Does anyone know why he was ill? Only 52. I meant to say he bowled v square/front facing bowling action - I blame a late finishing darts competition
I think, given his unauthodox bowling action, he was liable to pick up injuries. Nasty neck injury in Pakistan just as he was becoming an England regular cost him a whole season. Sad that he left Kent just as hit his career peak.
Still can't believe he's dead.
Most fast bowlers suffer injuries - it's rarer to count those who go through a lengthy career and don't suffer a litany of injuries. In those days sports science was a mystery to most professional clubs - the received wisom was that players bowled themselves fit. There's some logic in this - over time bowlers would strengthen the muscles that they needed in bowling, while gym work would get them fit but give them a body unsuited to fast bowling. On the other hand the repetitious nature of fast bowling leads to a lot of stress injuries.
What bothered Dilley in particular was the mental side - there was some talk that he was close to being a hypochondriac and he developed the back foot drag because he believed that was the only way he could bowl. At one point this was so bad that he was not only gounging holes in the crease in his delivery stride but was going through a pair of boots every game.
Such sad news. He was one of my first Kent heros (ok crush) & recall all the matches mentioned, him batting left handed and bowling right handed, v side-on bowling action. Does anyone know why he was ill? Only 52
All the reports have said the same thing "he died after a short illness".
firstly what a shock ,terrible to die so young ..a tragedy for his family
he had the potential be a great test player rather than a good one ..you always felt that he had so much more to give as a cricketer ,he would have flourished with the kind of management and application todays cricketers enjoy
to people of my age (older than GD who are die hard cricketers) this sort of thing really hits home ,may he rest in peace and my heartfelt thanks to him for those fleeting moments of pleasure he gave me as a spectator
I couldn't believe this when I saw it on the news. I went to Wentworth Junior School and remember being told in assembly that he'd played his first game for Kent. We had a great teacher Mr Mills who played with Graham's dad Geoff for Dartford Nomads. A group of us from Wentworth used to play cricket on Crayford Corner and Geoff asked us to formed a colts team, The first year we started Graham would come and bowl in the nets and I vividly remember him coming back from Australia and joining in with us all still wearing the coloured England one day shirt. His dad Geoff ended up taking my brother and I to Nomads matches and in 1981 we were playing with him when Graham helped to win the test at Headingley. It's a really sad end for him. I dont know if his Dad Geoff is still around, he would be in his 80s, but he was a lovely man and a great cricketer too and it makes me sad to think he's lost his son so young.
RIP. I was wondering what type of cancer he had.I read in some ones autobiography that Graham Dilley was pumped that full of anti inflammatory medication to get through test matches that he had health problems.I sincerely hope that a great cricketer with a big heart hasn't damaged his health for the team and it isn't linked in any way to his tragic early demise.
Proper fast bowler. Saw him take a hat-trick at the Oval against Surrey in a Championship match. Dug-out the scorecard - Duncan Pauline, Andy Needham and NS Taylor were the victims and remember Dilley steaming in from the Pavilion End to take the wickets. (don't remember Hinks the WK who caught 2 of the victims). Lasting memory of a legend of the 80's.
Comments
RIP Picca
It's worth remembering that he outscored Botham in that partnership at Headingley, when they came to the wicket Botham is supposed to have simply said "let's give it some humpty". The rest is history. Sadly he fell out with the powers that be at Kent who knowing that he was due a testimonial in a year or two offered him a low contract. Dilley packed his bags for Worcestershire but persistent injuries meant that he never fulfilled his potential and he retired early. Cricketers in those days were poorly paid and needed the testimonial to set themselves up for their post cricketing career. By not staying at Kent Dilley had a few lean financial years before he got a regular job coaching at Loughborough.
I think, given his unauthodox bowling action, he was liable to pick up injuries. Nasty neck injury in Pakistan just as he was becoming an England regular cost him a whole season. Sad that he left Kent just as hit his career peak.
Still can't believe he's dead.
Most fast bowlers suffer injuries - it's rarer to count those who go through a lengthy career and don't suffer a litany of injuries. In those days sports science was a mystery to most professional clubs - the received wisom was that players bowled themselves fit. There's some logic in this - over time bowlers would strengthen the muscles that they needed in bowling, while gym work would get them fit but give them a body unsuited to fast bowling. On the other hand the repetitious nature of fast bowling leads to a lot of stress injuries.
What bothered Dilley in particular was the mental side - there was some talk that he was close to being a hypochondriac and he developed the back foot drag because he believed that was the only way he could bowl. At one point this was so bad that he was not only gounging holes in the crease in his delivery stride but was going through a pair of boots every game.
All the reports have said the same thing "he died after a short illness".
I went to wentworth school with graham too scarey bowler to face
does anyone remember playing cricket with the maths teacher at lunch time and after school, ?
graham was always the best, better that the teachers even, RIP mate
The quintessential image of GR Dilley.....
http://frankwoolleysghost.blogspot.com/2008/05/pictures-of-dilley.html
....what a thrilling sight he was when he was in his pomp.
he had the potential be a great test player rather than a good one ..you always felt that he had so much more to give as a cricketer ,he would have flourished with the kind of management and application todays cricketers enjoy
to people of my age (older than GD who are die hard cricketers) this sort of thing really hits home ,may he rest in peace and my heartfelt thanks to him for those fleeting moments of pleasure he gave me as a spectator
Apologies for pointing it out, but as some people have asked, he regretfully died of cancer.
This is mentioned in The Telegraph link that Oohaah posted yesterday.
Hinks was Simon Hinks who played for Gloucstershire as well for a couple of seasons at the end of his career.
He played quite a lot of his career as a specialist batsman, and was keeper when Downton was playing for England.