Gerry Ratzin

Gerry loved cricket. We went to Test matches at the Oval, and occasionally Trent Bridge, over the past 10 years or so, invariably accompanied by Bernie Melunsky and Adam Kellett-Long. We four made up the core of a group of old Reuters cricket fans, sometimes joined by Graham Hillier, Allan Barker, John Rogers and Vergil Berger. Gerry had a friend who was a member of the MCC, so he got to sit in the posh seats at Lord’s, while we others made do with the Compton Stand. Anyhow, conversation was always lively, particularly on the merits of the modern English cricketer compared with heroes of old, such as Cowdrey and Bailey. When Kevin Pietersen burst on the scene in the 2005 Ashes series, there was much muttering about his hair (dyed purple at the time, I think) and whether he was a suitable top order batsman. “More like a number eight,” harrumphed one of the group (not me), to nods of agreement. There was a certain re-alignment of views when KP hit a dazzling century to save the 5th Test, and win the Ashes.

Gerry Ratzin, a man of trenchant views, wisdom, culture and great kindness. But what I never worked out was how he managed to follow the cricket match, ball by ball, while doing The Times crossword. Lovely man. We’ll miss him at the Oval. ■