Bob Appleyard dies aged 90

Bob Appleyard, the former Yorkshire and England bowler, has died after a period of ill health. He was 90.

Appleyard was a member of the England side that won the Ashes in Australia in 1954-55 and, despite a short career, claimed more than 700 wickets with an idiosyncratic bowling technique. After retirement, he was involved in setting up Yorkshire's academy and later served as the county's president. His life story is one of the most remarkable among those to have played the game.

"It is desperately sad to have learnt the passing away of Bob Appleyard," said Colin Graves, Yorkshire's chairman who is soon to take up the same role at the ECB.

"Bob was tenaciously loyal to the club throughout his lifetime, and an excellent president. Without doubt he'll be remembered as one of Yorkshire cricket's post-war greats. He played for Yorkshire and England with distinction and gave everything to the game.

"For many years, he has been a regular at Headingley supporting the team. He will be missed at matches this summer. I would like to pass on my deepest sympathy to Bob's family."

Appleyard made his first-class debut at the age of 27 and the following year, his first full season, claimed an extraordinary 200 wickets at 14.14 for Yorkshire. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis and had half of a lung removed but recovered and went on to play nine Tests for England. However, a shoulder injury led to his retirement in 1958, having played only five full seasons.

His life was touched by tragedy, losing three sisters and his father by the age of 15, after which he lived with his step-grandparents. He also mourned his son, Ian, and grandson, John, both of whom died of leukaemia.

Geoff Cope, the former Yorkshire and England offspinner, remembered Appleyard as a tenacious competitor whose love for Bradford cricket, where he learnt the game, was ever present.

"For him to take 642 wickets for Yorkshire in such a short career shows what a great bowler he was and in the right conditions he was virtually unplayable," Cope told Yorkshire's website. "The hardest thing for a captain to do with Bob was to get the ball off him once he was into his spell and this was because he saw bowling as a great challenge, particularly against top class batsmen.

"There was always feisty competition between himself and another great Yorkshire bowler, Johnny Wardle, but each had a great respect for the other and took immense pleasure in doing their best for the team.

"Bob was respected by first-class bowlers around the world and his work for cricket charities connected with the Yorkshire club was outstanding. His love of Bradford Park Avenue was to the fore in all of his cricket conversations."