Peter Sharp dies aged 72

Peter Sharp, the former Canterbury offspinner, commentator and cricket administrator, has died at the age of 72. He was suffering from cancer.

Sharp played eight first-class matches over two seasons, taking 21 wickets at an average of 26.90. He began his 45-year commentary career in 1966, after the end of his first-class stint, and was also involved in coaching. He was awarded the Sutcliffe Medal for outstanding services to cricket in 2006.

"Peter has been a great servant of cricket in this country, firstly as a first-class player before forging a long and successful career as a cricket commentator," New Zealand Cricket president Dennis Currie said. "He was a highly regarded administrator, being a former NZC Board member, former president of Canterbury Cricket and as a selector for the province.

"Peter was instrumental in the grassroots area of the game, establishing the modified game of Kiwi cricket in New Zealand and Canterbury Cricket, as well as a doing a great deal of outstanding work with coaches in the Canterbury area. We will always treasure the great contribution he made in many different ways to cricket in this country."