England’s bravest cricketer Brian Close considered ‘doing away with’ himself. Story by Scyld Berry • 4mo. I n theory it was the same country, in practice it was another world.

Brian Close was the bravest man to ever play cricket. Yorkshire great, who has died aged 84 after a battle with cancer, was renowned for his ferocious battles with West Indies' great fast bowlers ...

Dennis Brian Close, who has died of cancer at the age of 84, ... upon surveying the myriad bruises which suggested Close had been in a car crash rather than a cricketing contest: ...

Read about Brian Close cricket player from England profile, stats, rankings, records, videos, photos at ESPNcricinfo ...

Brian Close was unique. In his career with Yorkshire, Somerset and England he scored 35,000 runs at an average of 33, including 52 centuries, took 1,171 wickets at 26 apiece and also made 814 ...

For that miscued sweep, Close spent four-and-a-half years in the wilderness and, from a possible 244 Tests that England played between his first and last appearances, featured in just 22 of them ...

Michael Vaughan narrates how Brian Close's offbeat guidance helped him improve his game and what an inspiring figure he was | ESPN.com ...

Brian Close, born February 24, 1931, had a Test career spanning 27 years, ... When he took off his shirt in the dressing room, his teammates gasped at the number of welts and bruises.

Brian Close: The combative brave-heart of cricket He was tough, very tough. Even his characteristically controversial auto-biography was titled I Don’t Bruise Easily.

Michael Vaughan narrates how Brian Close's offbeat guidance helped him improve his game and what an inspiring figure he was | ESPN.in ...

Michael Vaughan narrates how Brian Close's offbeat guidance helped him improve his game and what an inspiring figure he was | ESPN.com.au ...