Warwickshire County Cricket Club is saddened to learn of the passing of Bears wicketkeeper-batsman Keith Piper at the age of 56.
Piper was part of the playing staff at Warwickshire for 16 years before taking up a role as Second XI coach, and was a key member of the treble-winning team of 1994.
A keeper with outstanding natural talents, Piper made his debut for Warwickshire in 1989, quickly establishing himself as a vital part of what would become a golden era for Bears cricket through the 90s.
Piper regularly showcased his outstanding abilities as a keeper, as well as scoring runs at crucial times during the success of the club.
In Warwickshire’s unprecedented treble-winning season of 1994, Piper made his highest First Class score of 116 not out, sharing an unbeaten 322-run partnership with Brian Lara. Lara would go on to famously end the innings unbeaten, with a world record 501*.
During that campaign, Piper ended the season with 66 dismissals, taking seven catches in an innings against Essex to set a then county record, before equalling his own record the very next week, evidence of his mastery behind the stumps.
At the end of that season, Piper was selected for the England A tour of India, one of two England A tours he would go on during his career.
The following season, Piper was again an important part of the Warwickshire side that would win the double, with victory in the County Championship and the NatWest Trophy.
After announcing his retirement in 2005, Piper remained as Second XI coach until the 2008 season, before he returned to the game from 2015 to 2016, where he joined the coaching staff at Leicestershire.
Everyone at Warwickshire sends their condolences to Keith’s family and friends. Once a Bear, Always a Bear.