ULVERSTON cricketing great Norman Gifford has been honoured for his years of service to Worcestershire by being named at the county’s new president.

The 76-year-old South Cumbrian will take up the role in March at a club where he is a former captain and the second-highest wicket-taker.

Gifford will serve as president at New Road for two year from March 22 – the date of the Worcestershire AGM – following on from Lord King of Lothbury in the prestigious role.

“This club has always been close to my heart and for me it is a great honour to be asked to be president for the next two years,” said the Furness-born and raised player, who still works as the spin bowling coach with the county.

“This place has got fantastic memories and my enthusiasm for cricket is as strong as ever, and I love coming down to the ground and working with people like Ben (Twohig) and Brett (D’Oliveira, both spinners in the Worcestershire squad).

“I will do everything I can to ensure it is a successful two years as president and I hope the success I enjoyed as a player will be repeated by this talented squad we have here now.”

Gifford skippered Worcestershire to the 1974 County Championship after being a key member of the 1964 and 1965 Championship winning sides.

He amassed 1,615 of his 2,068 first-class wickets for the county – a figure only surpassed by Reg Perks with 2,143 – and won 15 England Test caps, also playing in two One-Day Internationals.

Now he passes on his vast spin-bowling knowledge to the likes of D’Oliveira, George Rhodes and Twohig in the current squad.

Worcestershire chief executive Tom Scott praised Gifford’s appointment, and said: “I know that Mervyn (Lord King) used to watch the county when they won the championship for the first time in 1964, so he will be delighted to be succeeded by a member of that team in Norman Gifford.

“Norman has been contributing to this county for a period spanning over 50 years and I can remember as a supporter him leading us to the 1974 title with the likes of Imran Khan, Vanburn Holder and Basil D’Oliveira in the team.

“To take over 2,000 first class wickets in your career – and most of them for Worcestershire (he also played for Warwickshire) – is a staggering effort, and the young spin bowlers at the club can be grateful they have got someone with such experience and knowledge to work with.”