Everyone at Sussex Cricket is deeply saddened to hear of the death of former player, Alan Oakman, at the age of 88.

The Hastings-born all-rounder played a remarkable 497 first-class matches for Sussex in a career at the club that spanned 22 seasons between 1947 and 1968.

He scored over 20,000 first-class runs for the county, including a high score of 229 not out against Nottinghamshire at Worksop in 1961, and picked up 703 wickets with his off-spin.

Alan was also an important member of the county’s one-day side that enjoyed great success in the early years of the format, helping Sussex to victory in the first Gillette Cup in 1963.

His two test appearances for England came in the 1956 home Ashes series. A fine close fielder, he took five catches at short-leg during ‘Laker’s Match’ at Old Trafford.

Following his retirement from playing, Alan became a first-class umpire before moving on to a long coaching and administration career with Warwickshire.

Our thoughts are with Alan’s family and many friends.