LONDON: Raman Subba Row, the former England opener, ICC match referee, and cricket administrator, has passed away at the age of 92. He played 13 Tests for England from 1958 to 1961, boasting an impressive average of 46.85 with three centuries.
Subba Row retired from cricket at 29 but remained deeply involved in the sport, founding a PR firm and holding significant roles at Surrey and in establishing the Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB). He was England’s oldest living men’s Test cricketer before his demise. Richard Thompson, ECB chair, expressed deep sorrow, highlighting Subba Row’s immense contributions both on and off the field. Born in Streatham, he began his cricket journey with Surrey before captaining Northamptonshire and eventually representing England.
Despite a finger injury sidelining him from the Ashes in 1958-59, Subba Row left an indelible mark, particularly with centuries against Australia in 1961. Beyond his playing days, he shaped Surrey’s commercial side and played a pivotal role in the TCCB’s foundation, serving as its chairman. Honored with a CBE in 1991, Subba Row later served as an ICC match referee, officiating numerous Tests and ODIs.
Wasim Khan, ICC’s general manager of cricket, praised his contributions, highlighting his legacy as a respected cricketer and officiator. Subba Row’s impact on cricket, spanning playing, administrative, and officiating roles, leaves an enduring legacy cherished by cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
