Wilf Slack’s cricketing journey was one of quiet determination and late-blooming brilliance. Born in St. Vincent and raised in England from age eleven, he learned his cricket in High Wycombe before rising through local teams. By 21, he topped Buckinghamshire’s run charts, catching the eye of Middlesex coach Don Bennett, who signed him soon after.
Slack didn’t truly blossom until 1981, when he was finally promoted to open. Against Kent at Lord’s, he seized the moment—an unbeaten 181 in a record 367-run stand with Graham Barlow. He followed it up with a career-best 248* the very next match and ended the season with 1,303 Championship runs, a county cap, and a permanent place at the top of the order.
Soft-spoken but immensely dependable, Slack formed a strong bond with Barlow and became a pillar of the Middlesex batting lineup. His peak came in 1985 with 1,900 runs at over 54, earning him a winter tour to Sri Lanka and, unexpectedly, a Test debut in the West Indies. But the jump to international cricket was harsh—he struggled early, managed a brave 52 alongside Gooch later in the series, but never quite found his footing at Test level. His final appearance came against India in 1986.
Despite that, Slack remained a superb county professional. In 1988 he hit twin centuries at Lord’s and completed 1,000 runs for the eighth time. By the end of his career, he’d scored nearly 14,000 first-class runs, over 4,600 List A runs, and taken almost 200 catches. Loved for his humility and work ethic, he was especially cherished by Middlesex supporters and fellow cricketers.
Tragically, on January 15, 1989, Slack collapsed and died while batting in The Gambia at just 34. He had previously suffered unexplained blackouts, though no cause was ever found. His passing left a deep void—from England to New Zealand, where he coached for several winters.
Wilf Slack was buried in his treasured England blazer, a bat at his side. As his cortege passed through Lord’s, a simple sign at the Grace Gates read: Farewell Wilf.
On his 71st birth anniversary, we remember a gentle, gifted cricketer whose legacy still resonates.
