Batting style Left-handed 1972–1992 Dorset Bowling style Right-arm medium Name Andrew Digby | 1989 Minor Counties Role Cricket Player 1971–1978 Combined Universities | |
Full name Andrew Richard Wingfield Digby Born 27 July 1950 (age 73) ( 1950-07-27 ) Sherborne, Dorset, England | ||
Rev. Andrew Richard Wingfield Digby (born 27 July 1950) is a Church of England priest and former English cricketer. Wingfield Digby was a left-handed batsman who bowled right-arm medium pace. He is currently the vicar of St Andrew's Church, Oxford.
Contents
In his early years, Wingfield Digby was educated at Sherborne School and later at Keble College and Wycliffe Hall, both in Oxford.
Oxford University
Wingfield Digby made his first-class debut for Oxford University against Warwickshire in 1972. Wingfield Digby played 39 first-class matches for the University, with his final first-class match coming against Cambridge University in 1977. In his 39 first-class matches he scored 720 runs at a batting average of 12.41, with 3 half centuries and a high score of 69 against Sussex in 1975. With the ball he took 96 wickets at a bowling average of 33.87, with 4 five wicket hauls and best figures of 5/79 against Warwickshire, on debut. In the field he took 20 catches for the University in first-class matches.
In 1975, he made his List-A debut for the Combined Universities against Worcestershire in the 1975 Benson and Hedges Cup. Wingfield Digby made 9 List-A appearances for the Combined Universities from 1975 to 1977, with his final List-A match for the team coming against Nottinghamshire in the 1977 Benson and Hedges Cup. Wingfield Digby took 11 wickets for the team at an average of 29.18, with best figures of 3/28.
Dorset
Wingfield Digby had made his Dorset debut in 1972, playing a single match for the county in the 1972 Minor Counties Championship against Wiltshire. Returning to play for Dorset in 1976, Wingfield Digby played 69 Minor Counties matches for Dorset, with his final Minor Counties match for the county coming against Buckinghamshire in the 1990 Minor Counties Championship.
In 1986 he made his List-A debut for Dorset against Somerset in the 1st round of the 1986 NatWest Trophy. Wingfield Digby played 5 List-A matches for Dorset, with his final List-A match for the county coming against Hampshire in the 1992 NatWest trophy. Wingfield Digby had a disappointing time with the ball in his List-A career for Dorset, taking only 2 wickets at an average of 136.00.
In addition to playing List-A cricket for Dorset during this time, he also represented the Minor Counties in a single List-A match against Somerset in the 1989 Benson and Hedges Cup.
Religious Work
While at Oxford University, Wingfield Digby studied theology. In 1977, Digby took on a curate's post at Christ Church, Cockfosters, before ministering to Christ Church's 'daughter church', St Paul's, Hadley Wood, from 1981. In 1984 he became the first paid employee of Christians in Sport, becoming their National Director.
In 1988, Wingfield-Digby served as chaplain at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. In 1989, he was appointed the spiritual advisor to the England national cricket team, which was then under the chairmanship of Ted Dexter. With the arrival of Ray Illingworth to replace Dexter, Wingfield Digby left the England setup in an official role.
In 2002, Wingfield-Digby left Christians in Sport to become the vicar at St Andrew's Church, Oxford, a position which he still holds. He has been announced as one of the chaplains to the Olympics in London 2012.
Family
Wingfield-Digby's brother, Nicholas Wingfield Digby also represented Dorset in Minor Counties cricket.