Former Australia legspinner Peter Philpott dies aged 86

Former Australia legspinner and coach Peter Philpott has died at the age of 86 after a long battle with illness.

Philpott's eight Tests came in the span of less than a year from March 1965 to January 1966. In a five-Test series against West Indies he took 18 wickets then he claimed his career-best 5 for 90 at the start of the 1965-66 Ashes series before being dropped after two more matches and he quickly retired at the age of 31.

Overall in first-class cricket, where he played for New South Wales, he claimed 245 wickets at 30.31. He captained NSW during the 1963-64 and 1964-65 Sheffield Shield seasons. He also averaged 31.36 with the bat.

Philpott went on to become a notable coach, including with Australia during the 1981 Ashes, with stints at NSW, South Australia, Yorkshire, Surrey and Sri Lanka. He also worked with England during the 1998-99 series when they were trying to overcome years of pain at the hands of Shane Warne.

"Peter Philpott was more than just a wonderful cricketer, he was a man who had a rare enthusiasm for his craft, and for the game of cricket itself," Richard Freudenstein, the Cricket Australia chair, said. "As teacher and coach, Peter had the generosity and wisdom to share his knowledge across the globe and helped shape the careers of countless cricketers. We extend our deepest sympathies to Peter's family and friends, and to all those whose lives he touched.

Lee Germon, the Cricket NSW chief executive, said: "Any player that has reached the heights Peter did, in playing for his country and captaining his state, will long be remembered by the game. After his decorated playing career Peter was an outstanding coach and educator who was involved in cricket in Sydney's north for more than six decades.

"My personal memory is being a young wicket keeper at the Peter Philpott coaching clinics in Christchurch in New Zealand. He also took me for my level 3 coaching course in Christchurch and I saw first hand his incredible coaching skills."

Philpott's death follows those of Australia offspinner Ashley Mallett and allrounder Alan Davidson over the previous two days.

"With the deaths of Peter Philpott, Alan Davidson and Ashley Mallett, this has been an extraordinarily sad few days for Australian cricket," Freudenstein said. "We share our thoughts with all those across the world who are both mourning the loss and celebrating the lives of three men who had such an uplifting influence on the game of cricket."