Frank Vigar

Frank Vigar
Personal information
Full name
Frank Henry Vigar
Born(1917-07-14)14 July 1917
Bruton, Somerset, England
Died31 May 2004(2004-05-31) (aged 86)
BattingRight-handed
BowlingLegbreak
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
19381954Essex
FC debut28 May 1938 Essex v Glamorgan
Last FC28 August 1954 Essex v Sussex
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 257
Runs scored 8,858
Batting average 26.28
100s/50s 12/39
Top score 145
Balls bowled 15,398
Wickets 241
Bowling average 37.90
5 wickets in innings 8
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 8/128
Catches/stumpings 197/–
Source: CricketArchive, 22 September 2009

Frank Henry Vigar (14 July 1917 – 31 May 2004) was an English cricketer who played first-class cricket for Essex County Cricket Club between 1938 and 1954. A right-handed batsman, and leg break bowler, Vigar served as an all-rounder with 8,858 runs at 26.28 and 241 wickets at 37.90. From his rained-off debut in 1938, Vigar went on to play 257 matches for his county. His greatest success came in the "golden summer" of 1947, where he scored 1,735 runs and took 64 wickets. A partnership with Peter Smith of 218 for the final wicket remains an Essex record.

He spent the Second World War serving in the Royal Air Force. As his career progressed, his once useful bowling became both less successful and subordinate to Smith's, though he remained a sound and reliable batsman until a decline in form prompted the end of his playing career in 1954. He made minor county and invitation appearances on occasion up to 1965, and spent three years coaching West of Scotland before retiring.