Tributes after death of 0 not out off 137 cricketer

Darley Abbey Cricket Club said it was devastated by Ian Bestwick's death

Tributes have been paid after the death of a club cricketer who hit worldwide fame with a defiant innings in which he faced 137 balls without scoring a run.

Ian Bestwick, who played for Darley Abbey Cricket Club in Derbyshire, gained global attention for his resolute knock in which he finished not out in August 2024.

Mr Bestwick, known to teammates as "Beast", died aged 49 on 25 August, the club said.

Club chairman David Jepson said he was "greatly saddened" by the father of three's "sudden and untimely" death.

In a post on the club's Facebook page, Mr Jepson said: "Ian made his debut for the club in 2008 and across the next 17 years became a highly valued and very supportive club member.

"He cared particularly about the traditions of the game and understood the values, friendship, camaraderie and cohesion that amateur clubs and organisations such as ours can bring to the local community.

"His contribution was not merely to play, but to support in any way possible the best interests of the club."

Mr Bestwick's teammates held a minute's applause for him before they played at the weekend

Mr Jepson added: "On many occasions he turned down the opportunity of a game so that others, particular junior players, might play in his place, and instead he would volunteer to umpire, or score.

"Ian was a lively presence - he loved real ale - and he was always prepared to contribute to a debate and listen to an alternative point of view, regardless of his own personal ideals."

Mr Jepson said the club was doing all it could to support his wife and children.

Mr Bestwick's teammates honoured him with a minute's applause before a match at the weekend.

'Determined not to score'

The batter's remarkable scoreless stint at the crease, for the club's 4th XI, brought him unexpected attention from far and wide.

At the time, he told the BBC the response to the match had "gone crackers".

"It's gone round the world," he said. "It has been mentioned in Australia, Pakistan, Qatar.

"I have had friend requests from around the globe."

Mr Bestwick took his steely stand after the opposition - Mickleover 3rd XI - posted a total of 271.

Darley Abbey finished on just 21-4 after 45 overs - which meant the game ended in a draw.

Mr Bestwick said: "We had been in the field for three hours chasing leather all over the place.

"They came off and were dejected, [but] at the end it was like we had won a cup or something.

"The atmosphere in our dressing room was second to none. It was brilliant."

He added: "Towards the end it became a thing where I was determined not to score."

Mr Bestwick was a senior trade union representative for Unite at Rolls-Royce.

A post on the Rolls-Royce and Associates staff forum said: "Ian was a hugely influential character in the company and with the colleagues he represented.

"He cared deeply about the business and provided helpful and considered challenge around actions to help improve it.

"Ian will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure to work with him."