Ray Illingworth was the former England cricket captain and has spoken out to say he’s currently being treated for esophageal Cancer. He also supports a law amendment on assisted death.
Illingworth is now 89 years old and one of only four England captains that has overseen an Ashes triumph in Australia.
Shirley Illingworth, Shirley’s wife, was killed by cancer in March. Illingworth said that he had cared for Shirley and believes terminally ill people should have the option to end their own lives.
He spoke to The Telegraph and said that he didn’t wish to live the same 12 months as his wife. He said that he had terrible memories of her going from hospital to hospital, and how she felt in pain. That is not what I want.
“I’d rather die peacefully. It is my belief in assisted death. As my wife said, I didn’t find any joy in living the past 12 months. To be fair, that was me.
“But, we haven’t yet assisted death in England so that you don’t get the option. It is being discussed and I believe it will eventually be achieved.
Ray Illingworth, former England cricket captain is undergoing treatment for esophageal carcinoma
Illingworth lost his wife Shirley (pictured alongside him in 1973 when he received his CBE) to cancer in March and he now supports a change to the laws over assisted dying
Many doctors don’t believe it’s possible, however, if they could live to the extent that my wife and I did during her last year of life they might reconsider their position.
Anyone who helps someone else take their own lives in the country can face a 14 year sentence under the 1961 Suicide Act. There was a proposed change to the law, the Assisted Dying Act, which was debated in the House of Lords in October.
Illingworth hopes to receive good news about his prognosis for next month.
He said that although they had removed a large amount of the tumor, there was still two centimetres of it. Originally, it was eight. “They just want to rid the rest with additional double doses.
“I will keep an eye on the results of these two dosages, and I hope that they go well.
Between 1958 and 1973, Illingworth played in 61 Test matches on behalf of England. For 31 Test matches, he captained England winning 12 and losing 5 while drawing 14.
Illingworth is one of four living England captains to have overseen an Ashes victory in Australia
Illingworth (right) played 61 Test matches for England from 1958 until 1973
In 1973, he was given a CBE in recognition of his contributions to cricket.
Joe Root is the current England captain and he hopes to replicate Illingworth’s feats as Ashes captain during next month’s series.
The Gabba is where Australia meets England in the opening Test, which starts on December 8.