CRICKET stars past and present, family, friends and fans packed into Worcester Cathedral to pay their respects to legendary fast bowler Graham Dilley.

Sir Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff, Mike Gatting and Graeme Hick were among those in the city yesterday for a touching tribute to the former Worcestershire and England player.

Mr Dilley, who was part of the county’s most successful ever side, died on Wednesday, October 5, aged 52, after a short battle with cancer.

Worcester Warriors captain Chris Pennell, Mr Dilley’s son, was joined by other family members including Mr Dilley’s three other children – Paul, Alex and JJ – for the service, which included anecdotes and stories from a remarkable career.

There were laughs and tears in equal measure.

The Rev Canon David Stanton said it was fitting for the service to take place at Worcester Cathedral – the iconic building overlooking the ground where Mr Dilley helped the county to six trophies between 1987 and 1991.

Former Kent and England player Chris Tavaré said Mr Dilley used to drive around in a black Ford Capri – nicknamed the Batmobile and the Mobile Disco.

He would listen to Queen’s greatest hits in a manner similar to the famous headbanging car scene from the film Wayne’s World.

Closing his address, Mr Tavaré, said: “When I get home and have a Scotch in my hand, I will raise it in memory of a fine cricketer and a good friend.”

Gordon Lord, elite coach development manager at the ECB, said Mr Dilley was a genuinely nice bloke with a friendly smile who loved a “beer and a smoke”.

He said: “Players and coaches around the world are better for having known him.”

The Rev Michael Voc-kins, a former secretary of Worcestershire CCC, spoke of how membership at the club rose from 4,500 to more than 7,000 overnight after Mr Dilley and Ian Botham joined in 1987.

After Mr Vockins decided to become a man of the cloth, he was confused when Mr Dilley gave him the nickname “Morty”.

He said: “I asked him why. He smiled at me and said, ‘More tea vicar’.”

The service was brought to a close with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem – the hymn synonymous with England cricket fans.

Mr Dilley played in 41 Test matches and is fondly remembered for his century partnership with Ian Botham during the 1981 Ashes Test at Headingley, as well as helping win the 1986-87 Ashes series under Mike Gatting.

Before the service, Sir Ian said: “He had a dry sense of humour and the more you got to know him, the more forthright he was. He had some strong opinions on the game.

“He coached with England and then at Loughborough. He passed on a lot – and he had a lot to pass on.”

Other players – past and present – at the event included Angus Fraser, Matthew Hoggard, Ashley Giles, Jonathan Agnew and Gladstone Small.

• Click here for our picture gallery from the service.