Jersey's centenarian centurion passes away

Thursday 13 May 2021

A celebrated Jersey cricketer and sportsman, who once saw victory at Lord's, has passed away peacefully aged 100.

George Knight died last Friday, just weeks after receiving a retrospective accolade from the esteemed Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack marking his historic achievements as a school cricketer.

Pictured: George Knight was hailed for his abilities as an all rounder, and cited as one of the finest the island has ever produced.

Coming 81 years after his achievement, the recent ‘1939 School Cricketer of the Year' award marked his time playing for Victoria College, where he hit 1,250 runs and took 89 wickets for the school that year.

Also in 1939, in a game that began on his 19th Birthday, Mr Knight played at the legendary Lord's Cricket Ground, where he victoriously bowled for the Young Amateurs at a fixture against the Young Professionals.

His son, Michael, recently told Express about his father's recollection of events, where he said: "Yes, I remember well playing at Lord’s, and I also remember the final wicket that I took, that won them the match… I believe it was a LBW (Leg Before Wicket).”

His son added that when he asked his father if he had any doubt that the LBW decision would be given out, that “he looked at me out of the corner of his eye, and said, 'I never had any doubt.'”

A skilled cricketer with a promising career, the Wisden Almanac hailed his his 'medium-pace off-spinners' and noted that Hampshire's team were even interested in taking him on. They also noted he achieved "one of cricket’s golden feats" by bagging all 10 wickets in 10 overs, for 24 runs.

Pictured: Mr Knight was included in the Wisden Cricketers' Almanac 2021, being given the title of '1939 school cricketer of the year.'

The outbreak of war prevented a further national career from developing, however, and Mr Knight returned to Jersey to be with his family, where he stayed during the Occupation.

Following the war, Mr Knight became familiar and well-liked face in Jersey's sporting scene, with his son noting that "he put a lot back in to that which gave him so much pleasure."

Mr Knight participated and contributed to a range of local games through the years, through both his years of work with the Jersey Football Association and the island's wider sporting community.

Achievements ranged from playing the first Muratti against Guernsey after the war, to representing the island in hockey, to even installing some of the first ever illuminations at the old Springfield Stadium, allowing the opportunity for evening football.

In later years, Mr Knight's "absolute love of sport in general" stayed strong, still catching up with the latest games on television - his favourites being cricket, horse racing and football.

Last month, upon finding out about the accolade Wisden had given him, his son said he had asked his "overwhelmed" father if the highlight of his life was still the game at Lord's.

Mr Knight responded: “No, I think the pinnacle has been raised a notch, and this would have to beat anything that I’ve ever experienced.”