Ex-England cricketer Tony Greig dies
Recently, Tony Greig was diagnosed with lung cancer but the cause of death was a heart attack.
SYDNEY: Hospital officials say former England captain and cricket commentator Tony Greig has died after suffering a heart attack. He was 66.
Greig had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, but the cause of death was a heart attack at his home on Saturday morning and he died early Saturday afternoon.
Australian Associated Press quoted St. Vincent?s Hospital spokesman David Faktort as saying "he was rushed into St Vincent's hospital. The staff of the emergency department worked on Mr. Greig to no avail."
Greig, who worked for the broadcaster, first became aware of his illness during Australia's one-day series against Pakistan in Dubai in August and September.
South African-born Greig played 58 Tests for England between 1972 and 1977, scoring 3,599 runs with eight centuries at 40.43 and captured 141 wickets at 32.20. He captained England in 14 Tests.
He also played 22 one-day internationals for England.
Greig was instrumental in the formation of late Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer's breakaway World Series Cricket contest staged from 1977-79 which sent shockwaves through the sport.
He helped secure the signings of a number of English and other foreign players to the rebel cricket series, launched in response to the Australian Cricket Board's refusal to give Packer's Nine Network exclusive Test broadcast rights.
The World Series featured stars such as Dennis Lillee, Imran Khan, Greg and Ian Chappell, Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd and left a lasting legacy on the game, including improved rewards for players.
