A skilled fast-medium bowler and coach who played for England and Leicestershire, known for his impressive cricketing career and later coaching stints.
Ken Higgs, the English fast-medium bowler, is most remembered for his successful partnership with Brian Statham at Lancashire in the 1960s. With an impressive career spanning over a decade, Higgs took 987 wickets in 236 first-class matches, making him one of the most prolific bowlers of his era.
Born on January 14, 1937, in Staffordshire, England, Higgs initially focused on football, playing for Port Vale's junior team. However, he didn't take cricket seriously until his late teens. During his military service, he began playing for Staffordshire, taking 46 wickets for 13.13 each in 1957. Jack Ikin, a Staffordshire native, recommended Higgs to Lancashire, and he began playing for them in 1958.
Higgs caused an instant stir, taking 7 for 36 against Hampshire in his first County Championship match. He went on to take over 100 wickets in each season from 1959 to 1960. In 1965, on a wet summer, he took 102 wickets in County Championship matches, forming a formidable partnership with Statham. His best performance was 7 for 19 against Leicestershire, and he was selected for the last Test at The Oval.
In 1966, against the West Indies, Higgs established himself as England's first-choice opening bowler, taking 24 wickets for under 26 runs. At the Oval, Higgs, only a tail-end left-hand batsman, made 63, then his highest first-class score, and helped England recover from a difficult situation.
His impressive performance earned him a spot in the MCC tour of Australia in 1965-1966, where he had a modest time but took 17 wickets at 9.24 in three Tests in New Zealand.
Higgs was awarded his county cap by Lancashire in 1962 and went on to play 220 matches for the team, taking 844 wickets at an average of 22.14. He was also awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1966 for his services to cricket.
Ken Higgs' legacy extends beyond his impressive bowling statistics. He was a pioneer of the fast-medium bowling style, which became a staple of English cricket in the 1960s. His partnership with Statham is still revered, and their combined efforts helped shape the era of English cricket.
After retiring from cricket, Higgs went on to become a respected coach and mentor, sharing his expertise with new generations of cricketers. He also remained involved with Lancashire, serving as the team's president from 2001 to 2002.
Higgs married his wife, Jean, in 1959, and they had two daughters, Deborah and Kathryn. He passed away on September 7, 2016, at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire English cricketers today.
In conclusion, Ken Higgs' remarkable career and contributions to English cricket have solidified his place in the annals of cricketing history. His impressive bowling statistics, partnership with Statham, and legacy as a coach and mentor have left an indelible mark on the sport.
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English first-class cricketer who played for Kent and Oxford University, known for his impressive bowling skills and taking 104 wickets in a single season.
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