LEONARD Litton Wilkinson, the former Lancashire and England leg-spinner, has died at his home in Barrow-in-Furness at the aged of 85.
Len, as he was known, was born in Northwich but raised in Bolton, where he attended Markland Hill School and went on to play for Heaton.
He had a meteoric rise to the Test scene. After impressiing with Lancashire 2nds in 1937, he topped the first class averages the following season and toured South Africa in 1938-39 with Wally Hammond's side, playing in three of the five tests
At 21 he was regarded as potentially the best leg-spinner in the country but he was unable to retain his place in the England team. His career was curtailed by the war but he returned to Old Trafford at the cessation of hostilities and retired in 1947 having taken 282 wickets in first class cricket at an average 25.25.
His funeral will take place in Barrow tomorrow afternoon.
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