Gloucestershire Cricket saddened by the death of former player John Mortimore
14 February 2014
It is with deep sadness that Gloucestershire Cricket announces the death of former Gloucestershire and England all-rounder John “Morty” Mortimore, who passed away yesterday at the age of 80.
Having represented Gloucestershire from 1950, John retired from playing during the 1975 season at the age of 42. He received his County Cap in 1954 and was captain between 1965 and 1967.
John also made nine Test appearances for England during his career (1958/59-1964). He was a Vice-President of Gloucestershire CCC.
Born in Southmead, Bristol on 14 May 1933, John went on to play 594 first class matches for Gloucestershire, taking 1,696 wickets at an average of 22.69 with his off-spin bowling.
He claimed five wickets in an innings no fewer than 72 times and ten wickets in a match on eight occasions.
In addition, John scored 14,917 first class runs for the club, with a top score of 149, made in just two hours and 20 minutes against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 1963.
In 1959, 1963 and 1964 he achieved the ‘double’ of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in a season.
John’s Test career was restricted by being a contemporary of the likes of Fred Titmus, Ray Illingworth and Gloucestershire team-mate David Allen, all fine off-spinners, who could also bat.
Former England captain Mike Brearley was among those to pay early tribute to John, saying: “He is so vivid in my memory, wry, philosophical, shrewd and friendly, and a terrific cricketer.”
Our sincere condolences to Ilene and John's family.
