Brian Close, English cricketer and coach (d. 2015)

Dennis Brian Close, born on February 24, 1931, and passing away on September 13, 2015, remains an indelible figure in the annals of English cricket. His career was not just long—spanning nearly three decades from 1948 to 1977—but also remarkably impactful and often steeped in controversy. Close carved out a reputation as one of the game's most charismatic and recognizable players, known for his fearless approach both as a batsman and a fielder, and for his shrewd leadership.

An Early Start and the Youngest Test Cricketer

Close made history at an astonishingly young age. In July 1949, when he was just 18 years old, he was selected to play Test cricket for England against New Zealand, becoming the youngest man ever to debut for England in the sport's most prestigious format. This early call-up hinted at the extraordinary talent and resilience that would define his career. He would go on to represent England in 22 Test matches, an experience that included captaining his country seven times, leading them to an impressive six victories and one drawn match, a testament to his innate leadership qualities.

Master of the County Game and Mentoring Legends

Beyond the international stage, Dennis Brian Close was a titan of English domestic cricket. He captained his beloved Yorkshire to four County Championship titles, the pinnacle of first-class cricket in England, during a golden era for the club. His influence extended far beyond his playing statistics; he was a leader who instilled a hard-nosed, winning mentality. Later in his career, Close took the helm at Somerset. Here, his reputation as a transformative captain blossomed further. He is widely credited with developing Somerset into a formidable, hard-playing team, and more significantly, with helping to mould two future cricketing legends, Sir Viv Richards and Sir Ian Botham, into the world-beating players they would become. His guidance and influence on these young talents left an enduring legacy on West Indies and English cricket respectively.

A Fearless Player: Batting, Bowling, Fielding, and the Cost of Bravery

Throughout his extensive first-class cricket career, Close's statistics were staggering. As a batsman, he accumulated nearly 35,000 runs, including 52 centuries, with a highest innings score of 198. But his all-round ability didn't stop there; he also took 1,168 wickets as a bowler and held over 800 catches as a fielder, even recording a stumping as a stand-in wicket-keeper on one occasion. Standing just over six feet tall (1.83 m), Close was an imposing presence on the field, often fielding in the perilous 'short leg' position, extremely close to the batsman. In his era, cricketers did not use the head or body protection commonplace today. This meant Close frequently sustained injuries when a batsman struck a ball that hit him. He was famously fearless as a batsman too, known for standing up to intimidating fast bowling, sometimes deliberately allowing the ball to hit his unprotected torso rather than flinching or moving away, showcasing an extraordinary level of courage and mental toughness.

A Career Marked by Controversy and Leadership

Brian Close was, by his own admission, a cricketing gambler, always prepared to take risks and not shy of courting controversy throughout his career. His adventurous spirit led to several high-profile incidents:

Adding to the controversies, Close faced criticism for participating in private cricket tours to apartheid-era South Africa and white-minority-controlled Rhodesia, which were seen by many as endorsements of discriminatory regimes. Even in later years, as chairman of Yorkshire's cricket subcommittee, he had numerous public disagreements with the then-Yorkshire captain, Geoffrey Boycott, another strong personality in English cricket.

Despite these contentious moments, Close's dedication to Yorkshire cricket never wavered. Even in his seventies, he continued to serve the county, coaching and occasionally captaining the county's Colts XI, demonstrating his enduring passion for developing young talent. He was further honored with the presidency of Yorkshire in 2008/9, a testament to his profound and lasting impact on the club.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dennis Brian Close

Who was Dennis Brian Close?
Dennis Brian Close was a legendary English first-class cricketer who played for England, Yorkshire, and Somerset. He is renowned for being the youngest ever player to represent England in Test cricket, a fearless all-rounder, and a highly influential captain and mentor.
When did Brian Close make his Test debut?
He made his Test debut for England in July 1949 against New Zealand, at the remarkable age of 18, setting a record as England's youngest Test cricketer.
What were Brian Close's key achievements in cricket?
Close captained England in 7 Tests (winning 6 and drawing 1), led Yorkshire to four County Championship titles, and is widely credited with developing Somerset into a strong team while mentoring future legends Viv Richards and Ian Botham. He also amassed nearly 35,000 first-class runs, took over 1,100 wickets, and held over 800 catches.
Why was Brian Close considered a controversial figure?
His career was marked by several controversies, including being sacked as England captain for timewasting, dismissed by Yorkshire due to his stance on one-day cricket, and participating in private tours to apartheid-era South Africa and Rhodesia, which drew significant criticism.
When did Brian Close pass away?
Dennis Brian Close passed away on September 13, 2015, at the age of 84.