deciding Test of the 1953 Ashes Series, due to 'enormous public interest' as England sought to win back The Ashes for the first time in 19 years. The remainder of his secretaryship was summarised by Wisden as one absent of any startling reforms or innovations. He retired in 1962, being succeeded as secretary by Billy Griffith. Although known as a man who was imperturbable, he gained admiration from his peers during his presidency of the MCC in 1968, when he chaired the heated special general meeting over relations with South Africa in light of the D'Oliveira affair, which led to the cancellation of England's tour of South Africa. He praised D'Oliveria for the great dignity that he had maintained throughout the affair. He was elected a trustee of the MCC in 1971, a position he held until his appointment as a life vice-president in 1983. In addition to his administrative roles within the MCC over a sixty-year period, Aird was also an administrator in county cricket; he served as president of Hampshire County Cricket Club between 1971 and 1983, being succeeded by Cecil Paris. He was also involved with I Zingari for over fifty years, as secretary and treasurer, helping raise the club from the low esteem with which it had fallen to in the 1920s, to a club whose membership again became popular. Outside of cricket, Aird competed at Lord's in real tennis, winning the silver racket six times between 1933 and 1949, though he never won the gold racket, being defeated twice by Baron Aberdare and four times by W. D. Macpherson. In retirement, he moved to the Sussex village of Yapton, where he was resident at West Down House. His move there bought him close to nearby Arundel, with Aird becoming associated with the Friends of Arundel Castle Cricket Ground, to whom he provided much wisdom and experience. In his latter years, Aird struggled with illness and died at Yapton in August 1986, aged 84. References External links 1902 births 1986 deaths People from Paddington People educated at Eton College Alumni of Clare College, Cambridge English cricketers Hampshire cricketers Cambridge University cricketers Hampshire cricket captains English cricket administrators Gentlemen cricketers Marylebone Cricket Club cricketers British Army personnel of World War II Royal Tank Regiment officers Recipients of the Military Cross Secretaries of the Marylebone Cricket Club Presidents of the Marylebone Cricket Club