The England and Wales Cricket Board ECB is saddened by the death of Dr David English CBE
English’s career was long and varied. His first job was as a member of the ground staff at Lords. He went on to play for the MCC and in 1987 founded international charity cricket team The Bunburys, through which he raised tens of millions of pounds for good causes.
He also managed the Bee Gees; worked as a journalist for the Daily Mail; appeared on the BBC children’s TV programme You and Me; founded RSO Records; enjoyed roles in A Bridge Too Far, Emmerdale, Bergerac, and Ripping Yarns; and authored the much-loved Bunbury Tails.
But it was in the development of generations of England men’s cricket stars where English perhaps made his biggest mark.
In 1987, he created the annual U15s Bunbury Festival. Its impact in bringing together each year the country’s best young players has been colossal. Its graduates include Michael Vaughan, Andrew Flintoff, and Joe Root. By 2021, 1,044 Bunbury Festival players had gone on to play first-class cricket and 118 had earned international honours with England.
English received an MBE in 2003 and a CBE in 2010.
Everyone at the ECB is saddened at the news of David’s passing. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.