Keith Wilkinson (cricketer)
Encyclopedia
Keith William Wilkinson is a former English cricketer
who played for Worcestershire
between 1969 and 1975.
After several years in the county's Second XI, Wilkinson made his first-class debut
for Worcestershire against Somerset
at Weston-super-Mare
in early August 1969, scoring 1 in his only innings and holding three catches.
He also played against Gloucestershire
at Cheltenham
a few days later, but again did little, scoring 3 not out
and 1 in an innings defeat.
Wilkinson then returned to the seconds, and it was to be 1971 before he made any further first-team appearances. That summer he played in ten first-class and four List A games. His batting was unremarkable, and he did not reach 50 in any of these innings. However, he did manage what proved to be his only five-wicket innings haul in first-class cricket when he claimed 5-60 against Sussex
at Worcester
in late August.
He finished with 24 first-class wickets that season, his best aggregate.
In 1972 he took 22 wickets, but after that his bowling was less to the fore. He was in and out of the side between 1972 and 1974, though he did make the occasional large score. In the first-class game, he made the first and larger of his two centuries, this being the 141 he hit against Oxford University
, following it up with 80 in the second innings.
He also made his highest List A score of 95 in this period, this innings coming in July 1974 in a Gillette Cup quarter-final against Nottinghamshire
.
1975 proved to be Wilkinson's last year of county cricket
, but it was also the season in which he had the most cricket, turning out for 16 first-class and 13 List A games. The statistical highlight of his summer was the second and final first-class century, 102 (albeit in an ultimately losing cause) against Kent
in June.
His 697 first-class runs in the season were by far a personal best; he had never previously reached 300. Wilkinson's last first-team game was a John Player League match against Somerset at Taunton on 14 September 1975: he scored 0*
and held one catch, to dismiss Ian Botham
.
After leaving the first-class game, Wilkinson continued to play minor cricket, and was part of the highly successful Old Hill Cricket Club
side of the mid-1980s, playing in victorious William Younger Cup and Cockspur Cup finals in 1984, 1985 and 1987, as well as being on the losing side in the 1989 final.
He was most personally successful in the first of these games, hitting 76* to guide Old Hill to a five-wicket victory after they had fallen to 55/4 in pursuit of 194 to win.
He then played for Knowle and Dorridge Cricket Club
, captaining the side to its first league title in 1990.
Cricketer
A cricketer is a person who plays the sport of cricket. Official and long-established cricket publications prefer the traditional word "cricketer" over the rarely used term "cricket player"....
who played for Worcestershire
Worcestershire County Cricket Club
Worcestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Worcestershire...
between 1969 and 1975.
After several years in the county's Second XI, Wilkinson made his first-class debut
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
for Worcestershire against Somerset
Somerset County Cricket Club
Somerset County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Somerset...
at Weston-super-Mare
Clarence Park, Weston-super-Mare
Clarence Park was given to the town of Weston-super-Mare by Rebecca Davies in memory of her husband. The cricket pavilion at the park dates from 1882. A multitude of sports have been played at the park, including cricket. The ground is owned by the local council. It is currently used by...
in early August 1969, scoring 1 in his only innings and holding three catches.
He also played against Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Gloucestershire. Its limited overs team is called the Gloucestershire Gladiators....
at Cheltenham
College Ground, Cheltenham
The College Ground is a cricket ground in the grounds of Cheltenham College, England. Gloucestershire County Cricket Club have played more than 300 first-class and more than 70 List A matches there; it also hosted a Women's One Day International between England and Australia in 2005.The College...
a few days later, but again did little, scoring 3 not out
Not out
In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress...
and 1 in an innings defeat.
Wilkinson then returned to the seconds, and it was to be 1971 before he made any further first-team appearances. That summer he played in ten first-class and four List A games. His batting was unremarkable, and he did not reach 50 in any of these innings. However, he did manage what proved to be his only five-wicket innings haul in first-class cricket when he claimed 5-60 against Sussex
Sussex County Cricket Club
Sussex County Cricket Club is the oldest of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Sussex. The club was founded as a successor to Brighton Cricket Club which was a representative of the county of Sussex as a...
at Worcester
New Road, Worcester
New Road, Worcester, England, has been the home cricket ground of Worcestershire County Cricket Club since 1896. Immediately to the northwest is a road called New Road, part of the A44, hence the name.- Overview :...
in late August.
He finished with 24 first-class wickets that season, his best aggregate.
In 1972 he took 22 wickets, but after that his bowling was less to the fore. He was in and out of the side between 1972 and 1974, though he did make the occasional large score. In the first-class game, he made the first and larger of his two centuries, this being the 141 he hit against Oxford University
Oxford University Cricket Club
Oxford University Cricket Club is a first-class cricket team, representing the University of Oxford. It plays its home games at the University Parks in Oxford, England...
, following it up with 80 in the second innings.
He also made his highest List A score of 95 in this period, this innings coming in July 1974 in a Gillette Cup quarter-final against Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
.
1975 proved to be Wilkinson's last year of county cricket
County cricket
County cricket is the highest level of domestic cricket in England and Wales. For the 2010 season, see 2010 English cricket season.-First-class counties:...
, but it was also the season in which he had the most cricket, turning out for 16 first-class and 13 List A games. The statistical highlight of his summer was the second and final first-class century, 102 (albeit in an ultimately losing cause) against Kent
Kent County Cricket Club
Kent County Cricket Club is one of the 18 first class county county cricket clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the county of Kent...
in June.
His 697 first-class runs in the season were by far a personal best; he had never previously reached 300. Wilkinson's last first-team game was a John Player League match against Somerset at Taunton on 14 September 1975: he scored 0*
Not out
In cricket, a batsman will be not out if he comes out to bat in an innings and has not been dismissed by the end of the innings. One may similarly describe a batsman as not out while the innings is still in progress...
and held one catch, to dismiss Ian Botham
Ian Botham
Sir Ian Terence Botham OBE is a former England Test cricketer and Test team captain, and current cricket commentator. He was a genuine all-rounder with 14 centuries and 383 wickets in Test cricket, and remains well-known by his nickname "Beefy"...
.
After leaving the first-class game, Wilkinson continued to play minor cricket, and was part of the highly successful Old Hill Cricket Club
Old Hill Cricket Club
Old Hill Cricket Club is an amateur cricket club in Cradley Heath, West Midlands, England.Founded in 1884 as Haden Hill Victoria, the club has played on Haden Hill ground in Cradley Heath since founding, having purchased it in 1934, with the ground placed owned by a Trust and shared with Old Hill...
side of the mid-1980s, playing in victorious William Younger Cup and Cockspur Cup finals in 1984, 1985 and 1987, as well as being on the losing side in the 1989 final.
He was most personally successful in the first of these games, hitting 76* to guide Old Hill to a five-wicket victory after they had fallen to 55/4 in pursuit of 194 to win.
He then played for Knowle and Dorridge Cricket Club
Knowle and Dorridge Cricket Club
Knowle and Dorridge Cricket Club is an amateur cricket club in Knowle, near Solihull in Warwickshire. They play their home games at Station Road in Knowle.-Roll of Honour:*1998 Division One 1st XI Runners-Up*1998 Division One 2nd XI Runners-Up...
, captaining the side to its first league title in 1990.