Essex County Cricket Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Captain, Brian Taylor at the age of 84.
Known as ‘Tonker’ for his exuberant approach to the game, Brian Taylor made 539 First Class appearances for Essex between 1949-73, second only to Keith Fletcher and named as the ‘Wisden Cricketer of the Year’ in 1972. During this time, he also captained the county for seven seasons from 1967, up until he retired from cricket in 1973.
A skilled gloveman, Brian has the 7th highest number of dismissals in First Class cricket with 1,295, which included over 1,000 catches and 191 stumpings; a record which is unlikely ever to be surpassed by an Essex player.
Hitting over 18,000 runs for the Club, Brian was a very popular batsman with Essex supporters playing exciting cricket with a variety of shots. This was summed up perfectly by Taylor himself, “I suppose it’s right to say that if I’d taken more care with my batting I would have got far better results. But I, and perhaps the crowds, have had more enjoyment at the way I have batted”.
Brian earned a place on England’s Tour to South Africa in 1956-57, though a Test cap never came to fruition due to the form of wicket-keeper, Godfrey Evans.
After cricket, he was elected to the panel of England Test selectors in 1973 and 1974 before becoming heavily involved in school’s cricket across the county. Brian was an Honorary Life Vice President of the Club and still a keen supporter, who regularly attended matches at Chelmsford.
