Graham DILLEY

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England

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Photo/Foto: George Herringshaw

Date: 13 June 1983

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- POSITION
  Right Arm Fast, Left Hand Bat
- DATE OF BIRTH
  Monday, 18 May 1959
- PLACE OF BIRTH
  Dartford, Kent. Died 5th. October 2011 Aged 52.

INTERNATIONAL
England
- CAREER DATES
  1979-1989
- Test Debut
  Friday, 14th December 1979 1st v. Australia at Perth (Aged: 20)
- Test Career
  Matches: 41
  Runs: 521 Ave: 13.35
  Wkts: 138 Ave: 29.76
  Catches: 10
  Last Test: 1989 3rd v. Australia at Birmingham

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Graham DILLEY - England - International Test Career 1979-89

The Jolly Blonde Giant from Kent was the only consistent fast-bowler England found in the 1980s, although his best years were lost to injury. He was one of those youngsters picked on the Tyson principle - budding young quick-bowler may shock Aussies - when Mike Brearley took him to Australia in 1979-80 before he had even got his county cap. He did not work the hoped-for miracles, but he found himself a useful place in the Test side, often contributing valuable runs as well as producing wickets. Probably his most famous contribution was with the bat, when he matched Ian Botham stroke-for-stroke in the partnership that turned the match at Headingley in 1981.

Indeed, the left-hander's 56 was more assured than Botham at the beginning of the revival. Dilley the bowler accelerated in off a run-up which was originally even longer than that of Bob Willis and he generated real pace despite an action that almost went into slow motion at the bowling crease. At his best it was almost certain that Dilley would take a wicket in his second over. Sometimes, when England would have to wait for the second over of his next spell for another wicket, that was of little comfort, as when he took 6-154 at the Oval in 1987 as Pakistan ran up 708.

Other times like his 6-38 in Christchurch in 1987-88, he set up an England win. He was fast enough to make Deryck Murray in the West Indies in 1981 step on his stumps. He took 5-68 in the Barbados Test of 1985-86, 5-92 against Pakistan at Edgbaston in 1987 and 5-55 & 4-73 against West Indies at Lord's in 1988. (Bob Harragan)

After retiring from professional cricket Graham found employment as a coach, firstly to the England women's cricket team and then accompanying the men's side on the tour to India in 2001/02. He also worked in a coaching capacity for Zimbabwe and Scotland.

His last position was as head coach to Loughborough UCCE, where he was director of cricket for 11 years where he coached, among others, Monty Panesar, James Anyon, Ruel Brathwaite, James Adams and Rob Taylor.

He died in a hospice in Leicester on 5th October 2011 just one week after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, at the age of 52. A memorial service was held in Worcester Cathedral on Wednesday 9 November 2011.