Middlesex Cricket is saddened to learn of the passing of Eric Russell, who has died at the age of 89.
Russell – who was born in Dumbarton in Scotland – had an esteemed Middlesex career that spanned 17 seasons between 1956 and 1972. During this period he played 400 first-class matches for the club.
Across those 400 first-class matches, the right-hander scored over 23,000 runs at an average of 35.11 – notching 37 centuries. On 11 occasions he scored more than 1,000 runs in a season - two of which saw him pass 2,000 runs. In addition to all his first-class achievements, he also played 57 times for the county in List A cricket. In total he scored just under 24,500 runs and took 297 catches for Middlesex.
As well as playing for Middlesex, Russell appeared for England in 10 Test matches between 1961 and 1967 – scoring two half-centuries.
Russell was described by cricket writer, Colin Bateman, as “a smooth, assured opening batsman, Eric Russell suffered from never getting a settled sequence in the England team. His 10 Tests were spread over seven series and five countries, and two half-centuries in 18 innings did not do his ability justice."
After leaving Middlesex, Russell coached at Shiplake College, played Minor Counties cricket for Berkshire and later played a role in the development of MCC's Shenley cricket centre.
He was also part of a group that founded the Professional Cricketers’ Association in 1967.
The Club’s condolences go to Eric’s wife Annette and the rest of the Russell family.
