Former England fast bowler Joey Benjamin has died at the age of 60 following a heart attack, his former county sides Surrey and Warwickshire have announced.
Benjamin was born in St Kitts but made his name in English cricket, signing for Warwickshire after a spell in the minor counties before enjoying a career-best stint at Surrey between 1992 and 1999.
At the age of 33 he played his only Test match on home turf at the Oval in 1994, taking a first-innings haul of four for 42 in a match best remembered for Devon Malcolm’s match-winning nine-wicket blast in the second.
Surrey County Cricket Club is mourning the loss of Joey Benjamin, who died on Monday 8th March following a heart attack, aged 60. The Club flag on top of the Micky Stewart Members' Pavilion is at half-mast. — Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) March 9, 2021
He went on to tour Australia for the 1994-95 Ashes, picking up two one-day international caps. He finished his playing days with 387 first-class wickets at 29.94 and added 173 more in List A cricket. After retirement he coached at Reigate Grammar School.
Surrey confirmed Benjamin had died after suffering a heart attack and said the club flag on top of the Oval’s pavilion would fly at half mast.
Warwickshire said in a statement on Tuesday night: “It is with great sadness that today Warwickshire County Cricket Club has learned of the passing of former fast bowler Joey Benjamin.
“Benjamin enjoyed four seasons with the Bears where he made 25 first-class and 26 List A appearances, taking a combined 87 wickets across both formats.
Just heard some shocking news about the loss of Joey Benjamin. Joey was one of a kind, incredibly popular in the Surrey dressing room back in the day, so sad. RIP Benjy — Martin Bicknell (@bickers1969) March 9, 2021
“The thoughts of everyone at Warwickshire CCC are with Joey’s family and close friends at this difficult time.”
Benjamin’s long-time bowling partner at Surrey, Martin Bicknell, tweeted: “Just heard some shocking news about the loss of Joey Benjamin. Joey was one of a kind, incredibly popular in the Surrey dressing room back in the day, so sad. RIP Benjy”.
Former England and Yorkshire quick Darren Gough remembered his trip Down Under fondly, calling him “a great tourist” on Twitter.
The England and Wales Cricket Board tweeted: “We’re saddened to learn of the death of former England seamer Joey Benjamin, who has died at the age of 60. Our thoughts are with Joey’s family and friends at this time.”
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