Senior ICC officials have expressed their sadness following the death of John Wright on Tuesday, a cricket administrator who made an enormous positive impact on the game in his native Ireland and beyond.
Speaking after the news came through that Mr Wright had passed away in Dublin at the age of 65 following a short illness, ICC President Ray Mali paid his respects.
“This is sad loss for cricket,” said Mr Mali. “John’s influence and hard work benefited the game beyond Ireland’s shores and he is going to be greatly missed.
“John leaves behind a great legacy – the work he was involved in has helped to put Irish cricket at the forefront of the Associate game and his contribution as a member of ICC committees made sure that his expertise had a global effect. Peggy and I would like to pass our condolences to John’s family and close friends at this difficult time.”
Mr Wright was Irish Cricket Union president in 1997 and served for many years on the ICU Executive before becoming the union’s honorary secretary for nearly 10 years. He served on the ICC Development Committee and also represented the Associate Members on the Chief Executives’ Committee.
ICC President-Elect David Morgan also expressed his regret at the death of one of the game’s most popular and hard-working administrators.
“John played a significant part in the development of cricket in Ireland,” said Mr Morgan.
“The recent success of the team owes much to his unique contribution, first as president of the Irish Cricket Union in 1997 and subsequently as its honorary secretary for a decade,” he said.
“John cared deeply about the game and its spirit and that unique contribution will be long remembered. He will be sorely missed in Ireland and beyond – nowhere more than within the offices of the ICC where his knowledge, as well as his warm and friendly manner, made many friends,” said Mr Morgan.
“I spent some quality time with John at the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia earlier this year and more recently presented him with an ICC Lifetime Service Award at Lord’s on 17 May, the ICC European Presidents’ Day. This was an utterly appropriate recognition for all his sterling work for cricket, as well as his wide appeal within the European cricket community.”
