Monday 14 September 2015 15:56, UK
Michael Holding says the late Brian Close was a cricketer who had a "legendary toughness".
The former West Indies fast bowler, whose confrontations with Close during a 1976 Test match against England at Old Trafford are iconic to the sport, led the tributes to his old adversary, who died on Monday at the age of 84 due to lung cancer.
Close was the youngest player to represent England when he won a Test cap against New Zealand in 1949 at 18 and was one of several senior cricketers selected for duty against the fearsome West Indies a full 27 years later.
The 1976 series saw him line up against one of the most intimidating bowling attacks in cricket history, with Holding, Andy Roberts and Wayne Daniel striking fear into the hearts of Test opponents across the planet.
Close gained notoriety for allowing several deliveries to hit him - in a era when players did not wear helmets and padding was kept to a minimum - and those recollections remain strong for Holding.
"My early memories of Brain Close came from Viv Richards and Beefy (Ian) Botham, before I got to know him very well," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"He was just someone who was very tough. His toughness was legendary. He was a tough man.
"When they called him back in 1976 to play aged 44 against the West Indies, he didn't say 'no I'm an old man I cannot do that.' He was willing to go out there and fight for his country."
Close's toughness was noted throughout the game, and former Yorkshire team-mate Dickie Bird recalls one famous incident which perfectly illustrates his commitment to the cause.
"He'd take anybody on; he had no fear whatsoever," said Bird. "He used to field in front of the bat and he was hit on the head once, I remember.
"The batsman pulled the ball, it hit him on the head and it flew to cover. Somebody dropped it and his (Close) first words were, 'Have you caught that?'"
Current Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale is confident Close can be classified as a club legend and feels his death adds an air of sadness to the county just days after they won the championship.
"He's a legend, it's a sad day to see him pass away," he said. "He's been around at Headingley certainly through my career and spoke to the lads and he's been an inspiration as well.
"We are proud to win back-to-back championships but it's a sad day for Yorkshire cricket today."
Michael Vaughan, who also played for Yorkshire and led England, revealed how Close's guidance assisted him when he broke through.
Writing on Twitter, Vaughan said: "Such a sad day.. He was a true inspiration to all of us .. Thanks Brian for helping me as a kid growing up at Yorkshire... #RIPClosey.
"I once had a LBW problem.Closey aged 60 came into the nets and batted without pads 'only way young man you will sort your problem'".
Ian Botham, who played under Close at Somerset, wrote on Twitter: "The best captain a young player could ever have wished for! Myself & IVA owe you so much! RIP Closey"
The final word, though, goes to the man himself, a player who it has been said typified not only the Yorkshire grit but also the spirit of England cricket itself and whose autobiography, tellingly, was titled I Don't Bruise Easily.
When once asked if he feared for his safety, particularly when fielding at short leg, he replied: "How can the ball hurt you? It's only on you for a second."
