Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie dies aged 72

Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie, Hampshire's president and former captain, died yesterday at the age of 72. A legend among his county followers, Ingleby-MacKenzie played in 343 first-class matches in a 14-year career between 1951 and 1965. His batting typified the man - never dull, always looking to attack, and that meant that his career average did not do his talent justice.

He will be forever remembered as the man who led Hampshire to their first Championship title in 1961, and especially because he did so in style. A throwback to a less intense era, he led the side in a manner which would horrify modern disciplinarians - he is best remembered for telling his players to be in bed by breakfast time on match-days. Fittingly, he was the county's last amateur captain. He was also a genuine eccentric - an avid punter, he once persuaded umpire Harry Baldwin to bring a radio on to the pitch so he could listen to a horse race while he was fielding. But his apparent indifference and easy-going manner belied a determination to succeed, which he did with style and daring.

As a left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, he also played for MCC between 1956 and 1962, and later went onto become the club's president. A successful businessman, he was awarded the OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2005, and as popular and charismatic president of the MCC and was a key figure in opening the club up to women.

Ingleby-Mackenzie toasts Hampshire's first Championship title in 1961 © The Cricketer International

Hampshire's chairman, Rod Bransgrove, led the tributes. "We are absolutely devastated to hear this news. Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie embodied everything that was good about Hampshire cricket and he was a source of inspiration and encouragement to me personally. His loss extends beyond the Hampshire cricket family and the game as a whole will miss his ebullient character and acute sense of humour. My thoughts, of course, are with Susan and his family at this sad time."

Robin Marlar, the president of MCC, paid his own tribute. "Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie was a big name and a big man. As a player, he was Ingleby-Macrackajack; either you got him before he exploded or you suffered from a bat touched by magic. As captain, he won over his team and his rivals and indeed the whole country by his basic rule: in bed before breakfast. In short, he lightened the world of cricket."