England cricketer to help unveil new statues for Kirkby

Former England cricketer Matthew Hoggard will help unveil two new statues in Kirkby-in-Ashfield as part of a big makeover for the town centre.

Hoggard will be among guests on Saturday when more than £1m in improvements are revealed.

The two new bronze statues will be stars of the show and sit alongside the existing monument to Harold Larwood, which has been moved to a spot outside the library in Precinct Road.

Larwood was a fast bowler born near Kirkby in 1904 and known as one of the finest cricketers of his generation.

His statue is being joined by two other legends from the same era.

One will be of Australian batsman Donald Bradman and the other of Larwood’s fellow Nottinghamshire bowler William Voce.

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The existing statue of Harold Larwood has now been moved. Picture: JThomas

The position of the statues will re-create a cricketing scene with Larwood bowling to Bradman and Voce fielding.

The two Nottinghamshire and England bowlers were known for using the ‘bodyline’ tactic – aiming for the body of a batsman with the ball – to great effect.

A new plaza and other new artworks are also being unveiled as part of a major upgrade of the town centre designed to boost trade and tourism to the area.

Hoggard, known as Hoggy, was a fast-medium bowler who played in tests for England from 2000-2008, taking 248 wickets.

The Yorkshireman will be joined by local stars including Paralympic Gold medal-winning swimmer Ollie Hynd.