Former England cricket captain Norman Gifford has passed away aged 85. Gifford was known for his left-arm spin, with the former Worcestershire ace taking 1,615 first-class wickets during his career.

He featured in 15 Test matches for England, and captained the one-day team in 1985, becoming the oldest ODI skipper in international cricket. Following his retirement, Gifford went on to hold coaching roles at Sussex, Durham and then his beloved Worcestershire. In 2017 he became club president and was later awarded an honorary life presidency role.

Following his death, a statement from the ECB read: "Gifford played 15 Tests between 1964 and 1973 before captaining his country, at the age of 44, in his two one-day internationals in 1985. A wily left-arm spinner he claimed a remarkable 2,068 first-class wickets during a three-decades long playing career during which he captained Worcestershire and Warwickshire before retiring at the age of 48.

"Gifford earned a contract at New Road after seeing an advert in a cricket magazine to trial at the club and, after arriving from his native Lancashire, would become a long-standing influential figure on and off the field. He was an integral part of the Worcestershire team that claimed breakthrough back-to-back County Championship titles in 1964 and 1965 and would captain the county to a third title in 1974. The following year he was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year and in 1978 was awarded an MBE for services to cricket.

"He also led the Pears to their first Sunday League title in 1971 and returned to the club as President in 2017 and was appointed as a Life Honorary Vice-President two years later. He joined the Pears' rivals Warwickshire for five years in 1983 and during that time was recalled by England for an ODI series in Sharjah when, at the age of 44 years and 359 days, he became the oldest ODI debutant captain in international cricket. The ECB would like to offer it condolences to all of Norman's family and friends."

Worcestershire posted on X: "Worcestershire County Cricket Club are saddened to share the news of the passing of Norman Gifford MBE, aged 85. A former Worcestershire captain, Norman enjoyed an illustrious playing career that saw him win the County Championship with the Pears in 1964. Norman, represented Worcestershire with distinction for 22 years, between 1960 and 1982, with the famed spinner taking a remarkable 1,615 first-class wickets during that time."

Photographer @dgriffinpix added: "Sad news that Norman Gifford has died. An ever-present on the county circuit with @WorcsCCC and then @WarwickshireCCC throughout my formative years watching the game. Here he is with @DerbyshireCCC Eddie Barlow at Worcester in 1978. Condolences to all connected to Norman..."