Former England cricket captain Tony Greig has died after suffering a heart attack on Saturday morning. He was 66.
Greig was rushed to St Vincent's hospital in Sydney but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. A spokesman David Faktor told the Sydney Morning Herald: "The staff of the emergency department worked on Mr Greig to no avail."
Greig, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in October, had admitted the prognosis was "not good" when speaking to his colleagues at Channel Nine in Australia, where he commentated for over 30 years, last month. But his death still came as a shock to his friends and colleagues.
Veteran ABC cricket commentator Jim Maxwell said the "very sad and sudden news" of Greig's passing "cuts you to the quick", while Glenn McGrath tweeted: "My thoughts are with Tony Greig's family today."
Australia captain Michael Clarke added: "I was only speaking with Tony a couple of days ago so news of his passing is absolutely devastating. Tony has a long and decorated history with international cricket both as a player and commentator and cricket will be much poorer for his loss.
"Personally, he has also been a great mentor for me, providing great advice through the good times and the bad."
Adam Gilchrist, a former Australia wicketkeeper, told Triple M radio: "Horrible, frightening news. It's just such a shock. The cricketing community in particular will be hit very hard by this."
Greig played 58 Tests for England from 1972-77, leading them in 14, before giving up the captaincy to join Kerry Packer's breakaway World Series. His Test record was more than decent: he scored 3,599 Test runs at an average of 40 and took 141 wickets at 32, although he is perhaps best remembered for telling reporters before the West Indies series in 1976 "I intend to make them grovel."
Long-serving Nine Network cricket commentator and former Australia captain Richie Benaud recalled Greig's "fearless" reaction to the English public following his decision to join the Packer team in 1977.
"There was an enormous amount of pressure on him," Benaud told the Sydney Morning Herald. "He was captain of England at the time and played against Australia at Lord's. The English people turned against him.
"He wasn't just a fearless cricketer but a fearless thinker as well. He would not just jump in boots first, but it wouldn't matter how much pressure it put on him, he would stick with it."
Former Australia fast bowler Dennis Lillee told the same publication: "Tony was a tough opponent who took on all opposition with aggression and a determination to win. We will not forget the way he stirred the viewers in a similar vein to the way he did to opposition teams."
ECB Chief Executive David Collier was just as effusive, calling Greig "an extremely talented all-round cricketer and captain."
He added: "He was a giant of a man who played a major role in the changing face of cricket during the 1970s. He will be fondly remembered for his informed commentaries, his embracing of innovation to enhance the game including day/night cricket as well as his performances on the field of play."
Meanwhile Australian prime minister Julia Gillard and sports minister Kate Lundy said in a statement that "Australia has lost one of the iconic voices of sport".
"Greig was a wonderful example of someone who came to Australia from somewhere else in the world and embraced his adopted country as his own," they added. "Tony Greig devoted every ounce of his professional life to cricket, and the sport is much greater for his enormous contribution. Cricket has lost a giant today, but we're better as a sporting country for the life of Tony Greig."
South Africa-born England batsman Matt Prior expressed his sadness through Twitter, saying: "Can't believe one of my heroes Tony Greig has passed away. One of the greatest voices in cricket and will be sorely missed."
Meanwhile Channel Nine chief executive David Gyngell said in a statement: "It's a deeply upsetting time for his family and for everyone associated with Tony at Nine, and indeed for many, many others who came to know and love the man.
"He's not only been part of our family, but he's had a seat at the head of the table."
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