After a long battle with cancer Longparish groundsman Ken Ball died last night. Kenny had been admited to hospital two weeks ago and after a brief stay at home was moved to the Countess of Brecknock hospice two days ago.

Kenny had been a part of Longparish cricket club for well over 60 years, living throughout in the house that guards the gate to the ground. 

He first played for Longparish in 1945 against Hurstbourne Tarrant when he was out for a duck. An occasional leg spinner,and fine cover point fielder his highest score was a big hundred against Hamble. Kenny was  heavily involved in preparation of pitches at Longparish for some time and for many years wrote match reports for the local press. He was involved with both of the Village Cup campaigns that culminated in finals at Lords. He enthusiastically followed all of the Longparish teams and last turned out for Longparish in the field seven years ago. Last year he was awarded a Nat West Cricket lifetime achievement award for services to cricket and a "Pride of Andover" award

Longparish CC owe a huge debt of gratitude to Ken Ball, without him the club would not be what it is today.

Funeral at Basingstoke Crematorium on Thursday 16th August at 2pm followed by a cricket tea at the Longparish pavilion

Kenny requested that all who attend who have a Longparish shirt to wear it on the day