London, Feb 10 (AFP) Former England all-rounder TrevorBailey has died in a house fire, the England and Wales CricketBoard confirmed today.
Bailey, 87, who played 61 Tests during a 10-yearinternational career, died early today in a fire at his home,the ECB said in a statement.
Bailey, who also enjoyed a 21-year career with Essexbefore finding success as a cricket writer and broadcaster,was known as "barnacle" following several stubborn stints atthe crease.
Arguably his most famous innings came in the Lord''s Testagainst Australia in 1953, when along with Willie Watson, hehelped stave off defeat which enabled England to retain theAshes.
"Trevor Bailey was not only one of the finest all-roundcricketers this country has ever produced, he was also someonewho made an enormous contribution to the game as anadministrator and as a writer and broadcaster," ECB chairmanGiles Clarke said in a statement.
"His loss will be deeply felt by everyone within thecricket community and we send our sympathies to his family andmany friends within the game."
ECB chief executive David Collier meanwhile paid tributeto Bailey''s work as a pillar of BBC Radio''s Test MatchSpecial.
"Everyone who met Trevor could not fail to be impressedby his deep love and knowledge of cricket," Collier said.
"It was a passion that he was able to communicate tomillions via radio as a member of the Test Match Specialcommentary team and there will be very many cricket supportersin this country who will be mourning his loss in such tragiccircumstances." (AFP) SHN