Dennis Amiss MBE is a former Warwickshire CCC and England Cricketer who was a prolific batsman throughout his career before retiring in 1987. Amiss’ love for the game meant he stayed involved in cricket following his retirement as a team selector for the England and Wales Cricket Board. A record breaker, Dennis Amiss MBE is the first player in history to have scored a One Day International hundred on both his debut and his last game. The first player to ever wear a helmet on a regular basis, Dennis Amiss is a hugely popular figure within cricket and on the after dinner speak circuit where he specialises as a cricket speaker drawing large crowds across the nation.
Beginning his domestic career for Warwickshire CCC in 1960, a county he would remain with until his retirement some 27 years later, Amiss received an International call up in 1966 following impressively consistent performances for ‘The Bears’. The start to what would be an incredibly successful Test Career, Amiss scored a further 10 centuries in his career in addition to the hundred on debut. A prolific Test career, Amiss compiled 3,612 Test match runs which included two imperious double centuries against the legendary West Indies.
Known as a perfectionist, Amiss was the consummate professional and along with his outstanding career in the longer form of the game, Dennis also proved to be tremendously successful in One Day International cricket. Scoring 859 runs in the shorter form of that game, Amiss’ exquisite stroke making saw him score 4 centuries in ODI and average almost 50 becoming the first player ever to score a ODI hundred. An undeniable desire to improve and fulfil his potential, Dennis Amiss reminisces on his International career with huge enthusiasm and pride during his work as a cricket speaker. Dennis’ unique desire to continually grow as a player and person coupled with his phenomenal work ethic set him apart from many and allow him to be a fantastically inspiring role model.
The highest average for an England player to have played more then 5 ODI’s and the second highest score by an England player at the World Cup (137), in 1982 Amiss’ decision to participate in the notorious ‘rebel’ tour of South Africa which consequently led to his suspension from Test cricket for three years. An iconic tour which created huge controversy around the cricketing world, Amiss discusses his reasoning for going on the forbidden tour along with the consequences that came with it during his performances as a cricket speaker.
A wonderful professional sporting career, Dennis Amiss’ 27 year tenure with Warwickshire CCC saw him score over 50,000 First Class and List A runs and scoring a quite staggering 177 centuries and 289 fifties. One of the most revered and respected players in English cricketing history, during his work as a cricketer Amiss shares the key ingredients to his success in a truly motivating and insightful manner.
Following with retirement as a player in 1987, Dennis was appointed as the Chairman of the Cricket Committee at Warwickshire CCC before taking over as the Chief Executive of the club in 1994, a post he remained in until 2006. An England selector and the former Deputy Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Dennis Amiss has experienced International and domestic cricket both on and off the field and these invaluable experiences allow him to share a number of lessons and learnings with guests allowing him to resonate with both sporting and business audiences while working as a cricket speaker.
An eloquent and assured after dinner speaker who exudes charisma and has the ability to effortlessly engage and captivate any audience, Dennis Amiss is undoubtedly the perfect addition to any event. One of the five 1975 Wisden Cricketers of the Year, Dennis’ illustrious career has provided him with a host of entertaining and informative tales and anecdotes to share with his guests. Certain to provide an unforgettable occasion, Dennis Amiss MBE is available to hire as a cricket speaker for any event, function or dinner across the UK.
