Former Yorkshire and England bowler Bob Appleyard has died at the age of 90.
Appleyard played just nine Tests but took 31 wickets in them at a remarkable average of 17.87, and is regarded by many as one of the world's all-time greatest medium-pace bowlers.
Yorkshire County Cricket Club announced today that Appleyard, who had been ill for several months, had died.
It is with great sadness that Bob Appleyard, the legendary #YCCC and England cricketer, has died at the age of 90. pic.twitter.com/ZaPpNsRCN5
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) March 17, 2015
He did not begin his first-class career until he was 27 and then played for eight years, between 1950 to 1958. In that time, though, he was prolific - taking 708 wickets at 15.48.
His Test career spanned only two years, in the mid-1950s, but included an Ashes series victory in Australia under fellow Yorkshireman Len Hutton in 1954-55.
Bradford-born Appleyard's statistics are unmatched by his contemporaries, and stand comparison with the very best from any era.
His bowling style was difficult to define - fast off-breaks and cutters - but uniquely effective, especially on rain-affected surfaces at a time when wickets were uncovered.