William Peter ‘Poacher’ Pickett

Several of the most important score books during Bill's playing days for Wherwell are missing so I have estimated some of the figures.
 

I grew up with Bill Pickett going to the same schools (not Borstal) and played in the same football and cricket teams. I have never known a truer sportsman than Bill, he doesn't know how to cheat and was highly respected by all of the clubs we played against.

 

I estimate he played about 900 games for Wherwell and would have easily topped the 1,000 mark if he had not seriously damaged a knee. Bill played for Wherwell for 40 years, 14 of them after damaging his knee.

 

He scored approximately 7,500 runs and took 250 catches. His bowling figures were as follows. Overs bowled - 6,000, Maiden overs- 1,300, Runs - 14,900, Wickets - 1,600.

 

I have almost certainly underestimated the wickets taken and possibly games played. Bill is still serving the club as a committee member and although he does not watch us play very often he is very much involved in the running of the club.

 

He is now an honorary member of the Wherwell Cricket Club. To close I am truly honoured to have played alongside Bill for Wherwell for so many years.

 

Alan Rowles