When I visited Edwin Smith at the end of last week, he showed me a copy of Professional Cricketers' Association magazine, which contained an obituary for Chris Armishaw, who passed away earlier this year, on 12 March at the age of 63.
I was saddened as I'd not heard of it, nor do I recall the club picking it up at the time. It came as a shock to Edwin too, the county coach at the time of the player's brief county career.
His name may mean little to many of you, but in 1973, Chris played five one-day games for Derbyshire, making his debut against Middlesex, at Chesterfield in the John Player League on June 24.
My Dad and I were in our usual place at the Lake End and Derbyshire posted a competitive (for that time) total of 189-5, largely thanks to fine innings from Harry Cartwright and Ian Buxton. When he was in full swing, Cartwright looked a million dollars and played superbly that day, rescuing us from a dodgy start with an imperious unbeaten 76.
Yet a strong visiting side made a good start, before Armishaw entered the attack and had Clive Radley caught behind with his very first ball for the county. He then took the wicket of Mike Smith, caught by Tony Borrington, before returning later to remove Fred Titmus and Mike Selvey.
Four very good wickets for 31 and it appeared that a star had been born, in a thrilling game that we ended up winning by one run. Yet, as Edwin recalled as we talked, Armishaw had a good and blossoming career in the National Westminster Bank and at the end of the season declined a contract offer and disappeared from the county game forever.
He played for Tutbury Cricket Club near Burton-on-Trent, where he was feared on the pitch and popular off it.
It is appropriate to register his passing and I'm sorry to have missed it at the time.
Rest in peace, Chris.
I played against Chris in one of my early games for spondon in what was then the notts and derbyshire border league,in the early 1970's. Back then i believe he was playing for Littleover cricket club,and yes,the sharpest quick bowler i ever came across in my time in the local leagues
ReplyDeleteI can just vaguely recall Chris playing for Derbyshire. Thanks for highlighting this sad news and lke you say RIP Chris
ReplyDeleteChris played for several seasons for Littleover in the Notts and Derby Border League where he was certainly the quickest bowler and took bagfuls of wickets. Littleover was a small ground in a public park and often had a very green wicket. Sad to hear of his passing. Ric Sissons
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