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Former England captain Tony Greig has died aged 66 after suffering a heart attack in Sydney.



The South Africa-born 66-year-old was diagnosed with lung cancer two months ago.

The all-rounder played 58 Tests for England from 1972-77, including 14 as skipper, before giving up the captaincy to join Australian media magnate Kerry Packer's breakaway World Series.

"Tony was a huge man to have on your side and someone you would run through a brick wall for, because you knew he would do the same for you"

He later became a popular television commentator in Australia.

"He was a massive character," said BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew. "Whatever he did, Tony was huge - as a character, as a man, as a cricketer."

Former England captain Sir Ian Botham described Greig as "an amazing guy, just full of energy".

"He revolutionised the game and it had to be done," he added.

Australian broadcaster Channel Nine said Greig died at about 13:45 local time on Saturday, after being rushed from his home to St Vincent's Hospital earlier in the day.

Greig, who stood 6ft 6in, scored 3,599 Test runs at an average of 40.43, took 141 wickets with his off-spin and medium pace at 32.20 apiece, and was named one of Wisden's Cricketers of the Year in 1975.

Tony Greig's career


Major teams: England, Border, Eastern Province, Sussex
Tests: 58
ODIs: 22
Test runs: 3,599 (average 40.43)
Test wickets: 141 (average 32.20)
Scored 16,600 runs (average 31.19) and took 856 wickets (average 28.85) in 350 first-class matches

He told Channel Nine colleagues before having surgery last month: "It's not good. The truth is I've got lung cancer. Now it's a case of what they can do."