2024’s cricket obituaries – remembering those who died this year

Jonhenry Wilson 30 Dec 2024

Graham Thorpe died in 2024 at the age of 55 years old.

Several former international cricketers died in 2024.

These included former England batsman Graham Thorpe.

Former South Africa all-rounder Mike Procter also passed away this year.

Robin Hobbs

Died: 20 January 2024 – 89 years old

Hobbs took 1,099 wickets across 440 matches in a 20-year first-class career. He played seven Tests for England from 1967 to 1971.

“I look back on it with great pleasure that I got over 1,000 wickets as a leg-spinner because it will never be done again now, with the reduction of county cricket matches. I was very, very lucky in my career,” Hobbs told BBC in 2020.

Datta Gaekwad

Died: 13 February 2024 – 95 years old

Gaekwad played 11 Tests for India from 1952 to 1961. He captained Test team, too. Gaekwad was India’s oldest living Test cricketer at 95 years old.

Since Gaekwad’s death, the 94-year-old Chingleput Gopinath has become India’s oldest living Test cricketer.

Mike Procter

Died: 17 February 2024 – 77 years old

Procter took 41 wickets in seven Tests for South Africa from 1967 to 1970. He became the Proteas’ head coach in 1992. Procter was also a International Cricket Council match referee from 2002 to 2008.

“We were part of each other’s lives. Anyone who played for Natal, Rhodesia and Gloucestershire in the 1960s and 1970s knew that they were in the presence of a genius,” said former team-mate Barry Richards.

Derek Underwood

Died: 14 April 2024 – 78 years old

Underwood took 297 wickets for England in Test cricket from 1966 to 1982. He remains England’s most prolific spinner in Test cricket.

“It was a privilege to compete against such a tough but exemplary opponent,” said former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell.

Raman Subba Row

Died: 17 April 2024 – 92 years old

Subba Row played 13 Tests for England from 1958 to 1961. He hit three centuries. His final Test innings was 137 against Australia at The Oval.

“Raman was a respected cricketer of his era,” said ICC general manager Wasim Khan. England Wales Cricket Board chairperson Richard Thompson added: “He was a great cricket man with a successful career.”

Graham Thorpe

Died: 4 August 2024 – 55 years old

Thorpe played 100 Tests for England from 1993 to 2005. He scored three Ashes centuries. Thorpe remains among England’s top 15 highest run-scorers in Test cricket.

“Graham was the best left-handed batsman I ever bowled to,” said former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram. England batsman Ben Duckett added: “He was my hero.”

David Johnson

Died: 20 June – 52 years old

Johnson played two Tests for India in 1996. Australia’s Michael Slater and South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs and Brian McMillan were Johnson’s only Test wickets.

“David was full of life and never gave up on the field,” said former India captain Sachin Tendulkar.

Billy Ibadulla

Died: 12 July 2024 – 88 years old

Ibadulla played four Tests for Pakistan from 1964 to 1967. He was the first Pakistan batsman to score a century on Test debut. Ibadulla also played for Warwickshire in England.

“He was a special cricketer, one of the greatest, and we had a lot of fun times together. He could be really naughty at times, lots of mickey taking and he gave as good as he got. We loved him at Warwickshire.” said Warwickshire president Dennis Amiss.

Aunshuman Gaekwad

Died: 31 July 2024 – 71 years old

Gaekwad played 40 Tests for India from 1975 to 1985. His first and last Tests were played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. He also represented India in 15 ODIs.

“My first West Zone captain. He was one player in the West Zone that every Mumbai player respected. He had balls of steel,” said former India coach Ravi Shastri. Former India captain Anil Kumble added: “Importantly, he always had my back. A kind-hearted person with a fierce competitive streak.”

Mohammad Nazir

Died: 21 November – 78 years old

Nazir played 14 Tests for Pakistan from 1969 to 1983. After retiring from playing, he became an international umpire.

“His contributions for Pakistan cricket will always be remembered,” said Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Ian Redpath

Died: 1 December 2024 – 83 years old

Redpath scored eight centuries in 66 Tests for Australia from 1964 to 1976. He also played five ODIs.

“As a fine opening batter, Ian was a mainstay of the national team through one of the great eras of Australian cricket and beloved by many throughout the world for his courage, impeccable sportsmanship and wry humour,” said Cricket Australia chairperson Mike Baird.