Words by David Warner:
Peter Squires, the former Yorkshire batter who played rugby union for England and the British and Irish Lions, has died, aged 74. He passed away on Wednesday January 21st.
Ripon-born Squires was a splendid athlete who will be remembered for his speed on the wing for England at rugby and between the wickets and in the field for the White Rose county.
He debuted for Yorkshire in the final John Player League match of 1971 after a summer in which he played a major part in the Second XI winning the Minor Counties Championship.
His fine form with the bat saw him emerge as his side’s leading run-scorer with 474 at an average of 39.50 and a top score of 104 not out against Cheshire at Castleford. He became a regular first team squad member the following year.
He stayed with Yorkshire until the end of 1976, after which he concentrated full-time on his burgeoning rugby career.
Peter Squires, on the right, during the England rugby team’s training session in Twickenham for their international match against France, 22nd February 1973. (Photo by Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
He played 49 first-class matches for Yorkshire and scored 1,271 runs with a top score of 70, never quite fulfilling his natural talent with the bat but proving himself to be an outstanding fielder either in the covers or at mid-wicket.
In 56 List A matches, he scored 708 runs with a best of 79 not out.
But it was his rugby exploits which made him widely known in the sporting world, and he won 29 caps for England in the 1970s when he was on the winning side on 12 occasions. In all, he scored six tries. He toured New Zealand with the Lions in 1977 and played in the first Test of that series against the All Blacks.
He played both cricket and Rugby for Ripon and Harrogate, and after his first-class cricket career had ended had professional spells with Billingham and Manningham Mills.
Former team-mates have paid tribute, with Howard Cooper saying: “I was with Peter playing a Sunday League game at Bradford Park Avenue when he received news of his British Lions selection. Unbelievably modest about it. Great fun to be with.”
Kevin Sharp added: “Top man. I enjoyed playing a game or two with Peter at the beginning of my career. It was good to catch up with him at Headingley at the last couple of players association days.”
Yorkshire CCC General Manager of Cricket, Gavin Hamilton said: “I had the pleasure of working with Peter away from sport for over ten years. During that time, he was both a mentor and a very good friend.
“His stories of his sporting exploits were always hilarious and fascinating. For someone who achieved so much in an era when sport was as tough as it gets, Peter truly shone, and above all, he remained incredibly humble about his achievements.
“He will be sorely missed and I would like to pass on my sincere condolences to Gail and the rest of his family.”
