Sport - Cricket

Bill Brown passes away

Sydney: Bill Brown, a former Australian Test cricketer and a member of the 1948 ‘Invincibles’ squad that toured England unbeaten, has died at the age of 95, local media reported.

Brown died at a nursing home in Brisbane in Sydney, News Limited said. His death could not be immediately confirmed by Cricket Australia or family members.

Only four of the Invincibles, which included Don Bradman and toured England unbeaten 60 years ago, remain. They are Neil Harvey, Arthur Morris, Sam Loxton and Ron Hamence.

Former Australian Test captain Steve Waugh said he regarded Brown as a mentor.

“He certainly had a very big influence over my era. I was very keen to have him involved in the Australian side because I looked at Bill and thought he was what the baggy green was all about,” Waugh said.

“The spirit he had and the respect he had playing for Australia and what it meant — he understood the modern era very well and gave us a great perspective on what it was like to play in his era.”

Brown played in 22 Tests, scoring 1,592 runs at 46.82 and he captained Australia for its first Test after the Second World War. He formed a strong combination with Jack Fingleton and they averaged 63.75 in their opening stands in 10 Tests. — AP

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