Tribute to Tommy Wheble

                                 1939 – 2023         

We are sorry to announce the death of former Ormskirk cricketer Tommy Wheble on Christmas Eve 2023. He was 84. He made his debut in the club’s first eleven in 1956 and he played his last match In 1976 which brought his total number of league appearances to 263, a splendid record for a medium fast pace bowler. Tommy was selected for his debut by Ormskirk Skipper Bernard Bush in June 1956 in the home game versus Bootle. Here he captured two wickets, those of Ken Ingman and Ron Cockbain, two considerable scalps for a 17 year old. Wheble was a competitive   type even when young, and he bowled with a high right arm with the ability to move the ball away from the right hand bat.  

Two years later Bush led his team to the top of the table, sharing the Competition Championship with Hightown. It was a memorable season for Bush and Ormskirk and Peter Guy reflected on the year with the comment , “ Tom Wheble took 57 wickets in 1958 and he was definitely our best player in this Championship season. “      

Tommy Wheble became one of the top pace bowlers in the district with the new ball and he finished his playing career with 550 wickets, taking 5 wickets or more in a match on 24 occasions, an exceptional statistic. His most spectacular bowling spell was achieved at Wadham Road, Bootle after Ormskirk had been dismissed for a modest 58. Inspired by the circumstances Tommy bowled 15.2 overs, 11 maidens, and captured 7 wickets for 11 runs. Bootle were bowled out for 34 in agame described by Harold Wolfe as the match of the season. Tommy’s bowling was simply magnificent.                                                    

  Tommy Wheble

                                           Ormskirk CC first eleven league only

                              Matches             263

                              Wickets              550

                              Best bowling          8 for 91 v Hightown April 1957

                                                             7 for 11 v  Bootle      June  1958

                               Runs                   345 

                               Best batting          24*   v Northern     August 1964

                               Catches                 35

Tommy was a competitive, keen and consistent league cricketer  who represented Ormskirk CC over a period of 20 seasons.

 He was a terrific asset to the club.

                 Tommy’s Children survive him as follows:  Karen, Andrea, Diane, Keith and Antony.

Sandy Tittershill