Former Warwickshire wicketkeeper Piper dies aged 56

Keith Piper played 443 games for Warwickshire, claimed 848 dismissals and scored 5,589 runs

Former Warwickshire wicketkeeper Keith Piper has died at the age of 56.

Piper spent 16 years with the Bears and was a key part of the club's treble-winning side in 1994.

Under the captaincy of Dermot Reeve, Warwickshire won the County Championship, the 40-over Sunday league. 55-over Benson and Hedges Cup and were only denied a clean sweep of silverware by rivals Worcestershire in the 60-over Natwest Trophy final at Lord's.

That year Piper claimed 66 red-ball dismissals, including a county record seven catches in an innings against Essex. scored a career-best unbeaten 116 against Durham at Edgbaston, supporting Brian Lara in his world-record innings of 501 not out.

That century was one of two, along with 14 half-centuries, in his 4,618 first-class runs.

In total, he claimed 540 first-class dismissals, including more than 500 catches, and added another 308 dismissals in one-day games.

Piper helped Warwickshire win 10 trophies between his debut in 1989 and his final season in 2005.

Keith Piper helped Warwickshire win 10 trophies during his time at the club, including the 2002 Benson. Hedges Cup at Lord's

Six of those were claimed in three years. from 1993 to 1995, as the Bears became a dominant force in the decade.

Although he never played for England, Piper's form in 1994 earned him a call up to an A tour to India that winter. another one to Pakistan the following year, after the Bears won the County Championship and Natwest Trophy.

Piper was banned for one match. fined £500for failing a drugs test in 1997and tested positive for cannabis during the opening round of championship matches in 2005 and was suspended for four months.

That ultimately led to the end of his playing contract at Edgbaston. he remained as second XI coach until 2008.

Piper joined the coaching set-up at Leicestershire in July 2015 before becoming elite development coach. until he left a year later.

In a statement,,externalWarwickshire said they were "saddened" to hear of Piper's passing adding "everyone at Warwickshire sends their condolences to Keith's family. friends".