Cricket loses ‘Pipe Man’

Cricket West Indies on Thursday announced the passing of West Indies super fan Keith van Anderson, also affectionately known as “Pipe Man”. He was 67.

Van Anderson had been a prominent face around the cricket circuit for over four decades, particularly the “spiritual home” of the game at Lord’s, where he was a long-standing member of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

“MCC are saddened to announce that member and well-recognised figure of Lord’s, Keith van Anderson, has passed away,” the club’s website said. “Keith was in atten­dance at every Lord’s Test since 1973 and he will be missed by everyone at the club. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

CWI President Ricky Skerritt said: “World cricket has lost a major friend and the West Indies team has lost one of its biggest fans. ‘Pipe Man’ was beloved and will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.”

Van Anderson has lived in London since arriving in Britain on October 30, 1964, as a 13-year-old. He was as much a fixture at Lord’s as its distinctive old pavilion, spaceship-designed media centre and Old Father Time wind vane.