• Tony Greig: 1946-2012

Former England captain Greig dies at 66

Tony Greig 1946 to 2012 © Getty Images

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Former England captain Tony Greig has died at the age of 66.

Greig was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and reports in Australia on Saturday indicated he suffered a heart attack at his home and died at around 2.45am GMT.

"He was rushed into St Vincent's hospital. The staff of the emergency department worked on Mr Greig to no avail," St Vincent's spokesman David Faktor was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Greig was initially diagnosed with bronchitis in May. His condition did not improve and tests following the World Twenty20 revealed that he has a lesion on his right lung. On his return to Australia from the tournament, he had "a lot of fluid" drained from the lung, and further testing revealed he had cancer.

Greig made 58 Test appearances for England from 1972-77, 14 of which were as captain. An all-rounder, Greig scored 3599 runs at an average of 40 and took 141 wickets at 32.

He went on to become one of cricket's most recognised voices from the commentary box. He fronted Sky's first Test series, when England faced West Indies in 1990, and worked for Australian television network Channel Nine for 33 years.

A statement from Channel Nine read: "Beloved Tony Greig, former England cricket captain, has passed away today at the age of 66.

"Tony Greig is a name synonymous with Australian cricket - from his playing days as the English captain we loved to hate, to his senior role in the revolution of World Series Cricket, his infamous car keys in the pitch reports and more than three decades of colourful and expert commentary.

"To his family and friends we pass on our best wishes."

Greig's great friend and commentary box partner Bill Lawry said: "World cricket has lost one of its great ambassadors," Lawry told ESPNcricinfo. "Not only was Tony Greig captain of England, captain of the World Series world team, but he just loved travelling the world to places like Sri Lanka, India, England, Dubai, wherever it was played, Greigy would be there. He's well known right throughout the world, well loved and respected and cricket has lost one of its all-time greats.

"I know the Channel Nine commentary team is absolutely shattered. He's been a great friend of mine for 33 years. We knew he was sick but we didn't realise it was going to be this sudden. It has shocked us all."

At the time of his death, Greig was with his family, including his second wife Vivian, his daughter Beau, his son Tom, and two adult children from his previous marriage - daughter Sam and son Mark. Vivian offered thanks for the support and condolences offered by friends and well-wishers around Australia and the world, all of whom had been witness to Greig's influence as a cricketer, broadcaster and revolutionary.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.