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Cricket rocked by ex-England allrounder's tragic death at 57

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured here, David Capel during his cricketing playing days.
David Capel's death has left the cricket world shocked and saddened. Pic: Getty

The cricket world is in mourning after news that former England allrounder David Capel has died at the age of 57.

Capel had been battling a long-term illness, with his former Northamptonshire county side confirming his passing in England on Wednesday.

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Capel had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2018, with Northamptonshire confirming that he died at his home.

He made 270 First-Class appearances for Northamptonshire from 1981-1998 and became the first cricketer born in the county to play a Test for England in 77 years when he made his debut against Pakistan in July 1987.

He had made his ODI debut three months earlier.

Capel’s highest score was 98 not out against Pakistan in Karachi that year.

"This is hugely shocking and sad news for the English cricket family and particularly those connected with Northants," said Tom Harrison, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

"David was one of the finest all-rounders of his era."

The cricket world was quick to pay tribute to Capel after news of his tragic passing.

Capel remembered as a Northamptonshire legend

“Very sad to hear my former teammate passed from a long suffering illness,” retired England star Allan Lamb said.

“David Capel was an all round person and a true gentleman both on and off the field. We are going to miss you buddy.”

Capel undoubtedly goes down as a legend of Northamptonshire after spending 32 consecutive years with the England county club as a player or coach.

The allrounder was renowned as being a tenacious competitor and famously played throughout his career with a permanently crooked finger from an old cricket injury.

David Capel is seen here representing his Northamptonshire county side.
Capel played or coached at Northamptonshire for 32 consecutive years. Pic: Getty

Billed as the next Ian Botham, they were almost impossible boots to fill for a player who spent the bulk of his international career playing in the same era as the great West Indies side.

Capel was a mainstay in the Northamptonshire side throughout his playing days and played a key role in a strong era for the county side during the late 1980s and 1990s.

He had the honour of being the first Northamptonshire picked to play Test cricket for England in 77 years when he was picked for the match against Pakistan at Headingley in 1987.

Capel's England career ended after a controversial series defeat in 1990 that saw the Windies come under fire for time-wasting tactics.

He then spent the remainder of his career at his county side before retiring in 1998, after which point he joined the Northamptonshire coaching staff.

Capel was sacked as Northamptonshire's head coach in 2012 and also had stints with the England and Bangladesh women’s teams in the years that followed.

with agencies