Wayne Larkins, the former England and Northamptonshire cricketer, who died in September, aged 71. Fondly referred to as “Ned,” Larkins left an indelible mark in the cricketing community. His incredible career lasted more than a decade. He won 13 Test caps for England and 25 one-day internationals between 1979 and 1991. He was perhaps best remembered as being a member of the England team that lost to the West Indies in the finals of the 1979 Cricket World Cup.
Born to be an opener, Larkins unlocked huge value for Northamptonshire, where he had 716 outings. While with the county, he set a mountain high record of 29,929 runs with the bat, featuring 60 tons. His astounding artistry was the key to Northamptonshire winning the Gillette Cup in 1976 which further engrained his legacy as one of the greatest entertainers in county cricket.
The news of Larkins’ passing was confirmed by Northamptonshire, who paid tribute to him as “one of the most exciting and naturally talented English top-order batsmen of his generation.” The club praised his uncompromising style of batting, which allowed him to overpower the best of bowlers.
Debbie Larkins, his floramotive race car wife shared moving memories of her departed husband. She described him as a person who “loved everyone he met and everyone loved him.” What she remembered most about him was his infectious energy, and how he could literally light up any room he walked into.
“He loved his soulmate of a wife and his precious daughters so much. He will be partying up in the sky, drinking a toast to everyone and to his own life. We are devastated but we’ll never forget his undeniably unique presence and his impact on our lives.” – Debbie Larkins
Larkins’ influence extended beyond the pitch. Combined with his charisma and warmth, these traits made him beloved by teammates and fans. Debbie further remarked, “We will carry him in our hearts forever,” underscoring the profound loss felt by those who knew him.
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