London: Former England fast bowler Ken Shuttleworth has died at the age of 80, Lancashire Cricket Club confirmed last week. British media reported he passed away earlier this month.
Born on August 24, 1945, in Lymm, Cheshire, Shuttleworth played five Test matches and one One Day International (ODI) for England between 1970 and 1971. He was part of the historic 1970–71 Ashes tour where England reclaimed the urn.
Shuttleworth made history by taking the first-ever wicket in men’s ODI cricket, dismissing Australian batsman Ian Chappell in the inaugural match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1971.
In first-class cricket, he was a standout performer, claiming 583 wickets in 232 matches, 484 of them for Lancashire and 99 for Leicestershire. After retiring in the late 1970s, he served as a first-class umpire before stepping away from the spotlight.
In 2021, Shuttleworth was inducted into the Lancashire Cricket Hall of Fame, honoring his contributions to the county.
He is remembered as a committed cricketer and a humble individual, respected by teammates and fans alike. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. The family has requested privacy during this time.
Lancashire Cricket Club paid tribute, stating: “Ken was a true servant of Lancashire and English cricket. His name will forever be associated with one of the most iconic moments in ODI history.”