Essex County Cricket Club can confirm that the funeral of Ken Preston will take place at St Peter’s Church, South Weald, Brentwood CM14 5QJ at 1pm on Thursday 7 February. This will be followed by a wake at the Old Brentwoods Club, Ashwells Road, Brentwood CM15 9SE.
The family have requested that flowers are limited to relatives and donations can be made to Dementia UK, c/o Bennetts Funeral Services, 01277 210104 or via www.kenneth-preston.muchloved.com
Ken sadly passed away on the 6 January, aged 93. Born in Goodmayes, Essex on 22 August 1925, Ken had a passion for cricket from a young age and made his debut for his home county in 1948 at the age of 22.
He injected pace into the Essex bowling attack straight away, but whilst playing football in the winter of 1948, Ken suffered a broken leg and subsequently missed the entire 1949 season.
Following his return to cricket, Ken bowled at a brisk fast-medium pace, but was still lethal with the ball. He took 1,160 first-class wickets for Essex in a career which spanned 17 years and lasted until 1964.
As well as being a superb bowler, Ken was also an entertaining tail-end batsman and an outstanding slip fielder, taking 350 catches during his career.
Essex County Cricket Club President, David Acfield, commented: “I remember Ken joining the staff at Brentwood School as a Cricket Coach.
“I had watched and admired him for many years, and as Captain of Brentwood School, it was a privilege to play under his guidance.
“I will always be grateful to him for his support throughout my career.”
