'Classy batsman, lovely chap'

"Mike Denness was one of the very first people to offer his congratulations when I had the privilege of being appointed as Kent's captain, and he made it clear to me that he was there to help in any way he could. In subsequent years he and Colin Cowdrey were the two people I turned to the most for reassurance and advice. Mike was a natural source of sound, balanced advice."
Matthew Fleming, the former Kent captain

"Mike was a man who gave so much to our game in so many different ways as a player, captain, match referee and administrator. I had the honour of working with Mike in my first role in cricket administration at Essex and Mike was a wonderful source of advice and knowledge. He will be sorely missed by all - especially by everyone at Kent."
David Collier, the ECB chief executive

"Personally, I am very sad at this news as Mike was my Second XI coach when I first joined Essex in the early 1980s. I have some very good memories of those early years in the game, and he was a constant source of wise counsel. We have stayed in touch ever since, and he was a lovely man."
MCC assistant secretary, John Stephenson

"Mike Denness the former England Cricket captain died this morning aged 72... Classy batsman and lovely chap..."
Michael Vaughan

"Very sad to hear of the news of the death of Mike Denness. Really nice man and a true gentleman till the end. RIP Mike."
Chris Broad, the former England opener and now an ICC match referee

"Mike Denness came to Essex at a time when what was needed to turn a team of many talents into a team of match-winners, was just that - a match winner. His influence was immediately felt and as we had dared to hope, success followed quickly."
Essex president Doug Insole

"Mike was a fine cricketer, a successful administrator at the Kent County Cricket Club and a vital member of our panel of match referees in the mid-90s. Mike will always be remembered as an outstanding servant of our sport."
Dave Richardson, ICC chief executive

"Mike Denness was a fine batsman and fielder and always courteous, whether in defeat or victory. RIP"
Derek Pringle, the former England and Essex seamer and now Daily Telegraph correspondent