The Perth Scorchers wore black armbands during Saturday’s final in honour of a former Australian paceman who passed away aged 73 this week.
The Perth Scorchers wore black armbands during Saturday evening’s Big Bash League final against the Sydney Sixers in honour of former Australian bowler Sam Gannon, who passed away aged 73 this week.
Gannon played three Tests for Australia in the 1970s during the World Series Cricket saga, making his international debut against India in 1977.
The left-armer claimed 4/77 on debut in the second innings, finishing with 11 Test scalps.
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“I got seven wickets (on debut) and my good mate Tony Mann got a century and to do it in front of a home crowd was fantastic,” Gannon said in 2000.
“The public response was outstanding and people would stop you in the street to wish you well.”
He also took 117 first-class wickets for Western Australia, winning three Sheffield Shield titles during a stellar 12-year playing career.
Following his retirement, Gannon became heavily involved in cricket administration, serving as chair of the Western Australian Cricket Association between 2013 and 2015.
In 2017, Gannon was made an OAM for services to cricket and business.
“Australian and Western Australian cricket has lost one of its great leaders in Sam Gannon and, on behalf of everyone at Cricket Australia, we send our sincere condolences to Sam’s family and friends,” CA chair Earl Eddings said in a statement.
“As a deft left-arm quick, a giant of the business community, a leader of charitable causes and a brilliant cricket administration, Sam was known and loved across Australia and particularly in his home state of WA, where his positive impact on the community will be felt for many generations to come.
“As the Perth Scorchers take the field tonight wearing black armbands in Sam’s memory, we should all take a moment to reflect on his enormous contribution to our great game.”
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WACA chair Tuck Waldron said in a statement: “The Board, Management, staff and players of the WACA are very saddened with the passing of Sam Gannon.
“Sam has made an outstanding contribution to cricket in WA, during his time as a Player, Vice President and Chair of the Board.
“Having served on the WACA Board for more than a decade, Sam was committed to ensuring the continued success of the WACA and was dedicated to growing cricket in WA.
“On behalf of everyone at the WACA and the WA cricket community we send our deepest sympathies to his family and closest friends.”
