Jimmy Brown.

Cricketer

Born: September 24, 1931;

Died December 8, 2014.

Jimmy Brown, who has died in Dublin aged 83, was an outstanding wicket-keeper/batsman who was a fixture in the Scotland cricket team from 1953 until 1973 winning 85 caps. He was captain on 53 occasions and was renowned for his agility and prowess behind the stumps. Mr Brown held 119 catches and stumped 40 batsmen for Scotland: a record that stood for many years.

He played his club cricket for Perthshire County Cricket Club in the years when the side was all-conquering in the Scottish league. Mr Brown was a dynamic force in the team and an inspiring captain. He clocked up 674 dismissals for the club.

His contribution to cricket in Scotland was immense and was recognised in 2008 when he was inducted into the Scottish Cricket Hall of Fame. The presentation was made at the Intercontinental Cup game against Ireland played in Dublin, where Mr Brown retired to.

Brian Adair who played with Mr Brown and was president of the Scottish Cricket Union in 1963 remembers him with special warmth. "Jimmy was an absolutely superb wicket keeper and a sportsman in the Corinthian mould. After the game Jimmy would be one of the first to buy a round and led the characteristic Perthshire CCC hospitality.

"Jimmy had a great sense of humour and was an excellent raconteur in the bar after matches. He was a very shrewd tactician."

James Brown attended Perth Academy and was a fine sportsman in his youth. He was capped for Scotland Juniors while playing for Luncarty, selected to play for Northern and was first chosen to play for Perthshire CCC when just 17. Mr Brown's brother-in-law Reg Sutton recalls: "Jimmy's skills were honed in the back garden of our house in Highfield Road. There were a few broken windows I seem to recall."

During his national service in the RAF as a wireless operator Mr Brown played for both Cranwell and Aberdeenshire during a posting at Dyce.

He had shown exceptional talent at football but he ceased to play after he sustained a serious knee injury when playing for Queen's Park.

His career in cricket was marked not only for his achievements with Perthshire but the many other teams with whom he played. He captained Scotland against England in the Quadrangular Tournament and had the unusual distinction for a Scot of playing for the Gentlemen at Scarborough against the Players.

His professional life was mostly concentrated in the whisky business. For many years he was a leading member of the sales team at Bell's Whisky. He also worked with the Perth whisky firm of Peter Thompson and served on their board of directors. In 1984 he decided to become the landlord of Cathkin Inn in Burrelton, near Blairgowrie.

One of Mr Brown's great friends in Scottish cricket was the famous opening bowler Dougie Barr. He told The Herald: "Jimmy and I were room-mates in all the games we played together for Scotland. He was a great wicket-keeper and a good bat: well liked by other players and always affable. And", he adds with a chuckle, "a very diplomatic captain.

"He was a great and generous friend: we met every year at South Queensferry and chatted about old times: especially the game we played at Lords against the West Indies facing Wes Hall. After one over Jimmy came up to me in the middle and mumbled, 'Well, that was fun.'"

Scottish Cricket historian Neil Leitch said: "Scottish cricket has lost on of its greatest players of the post-war era with the death of Jimmy Brown. He was an outstanding wicket-keeper batsman who was a fixture in the Scotland side, winning 85 caps and captaining the side on 53 occasions. Both were records for Scotland at the time. He also held the record for most dismissals for Scotland, 119 catches and 40 stumpings, until it was overtaken in recent years by Colin Smith.

"He

also assisted the Scottish Cricket Union, serving as a North District representative on the committee from 1977 to 1979. His outstanding

contribution to Scottish cricket was recognised last year when he was inducted into the Scottish Cricket Hall of Fame. The presentation of his Hall of Fame cap was made at the Intercontinental Cup game against Ireland played in Dublin."

Mr Brown, who was made an MBE in 1974, is survived by his partner Peggy Dawson and sons by his marriage to Connie who predeceased him.

Alasdair Steven