A minute's silence was observed by the Queensland and New South Wales Pura Cup players in the 2004-05 season-opener for both Keith Miller and `Snowy' Bichel, who died, aged 69, in Brisbane on October 11 from prostate cancer.

Bichel, a true bush Bradman, represented Queensland Country for 17 years, claiming 7 for 52 with his off-spin against the 1963-64 South Africans - including Graeme Pollock for a duck - and 5 for 83 against the famous 1960-61 West Indian touring side in Gympie.

A potato and lucerne farmer born and bred in Lowood, Queensland, Bichel played for 15 years for the Booval club in Ipswich and later switched to Wests in Brisbane. Selected three times for Queensland in 1964, when Tom Veivers was away on international duty, his highest Sheffield Shield score was 46 and best bowling figures 4 for 80, both against New South Wales at the `Gabba.

Bichel coached local kids right up to his death and he had four children and 10 grandchildren of his own. His nephew, Andy Bichel, played for Australia at both Test and ODI level and has been a powerhouse for a decade with the Queensland Bulls.
The Wisden Cricketer