Cricket legend Tony Greig has died following a suspected heart attack. Greig, 66, was battling lung cancer.
CRICKETING legend Tony Greig has died after a suspected heart attack.
Greig, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in October, was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital by ambulance from his Vaucluse home this morning between 10 and 11am.
A St Vincent's hospital spokesman, David Faktor, said Greig arrived at hospital in a "critical'' condition and died of cardiac arrest.
"The staff at the emergency department worked on Mr Greig to no avail and he passed away at a quarter to two this afternoon," he said.
He added: "I understand his family were with him when he passed away."
Legend: Tributes have been pouring in for cricketer Tony Greig who died today from a heart attack.
"Our family wants to extend our gratitude for the support and condolences we have received and would ask for privacy at this very sad time," she said in a statement released by the Nine Network.
David Gyngell, chief executive of Nine Entertainment, said Nine had lost part of its extensive cricketing DNA with the tragic passing of the legendary Greig.
"It's a deeply upsetting time for his family and for everyone associated with Tony at Nine, and indeed for many, many others who came to know and love the man,'' Mr Gyngell said in a statement released this afternoon.
Former Test cricketer Adam Gilchrist reacts to the passing of cricket legend Tony Greig
"Tony has been part of Nine's commentary team since 1979. He's not only been part of our family, but he's had a seat at the head of the table," he said.
Gallery: Life and times of Tony Greig
Mr Gyngell said the former England captain was "one of the terrific characters of the game both as a player and then a commentator".
He said Greig was "never short of an opinion but always a generous man with a big heart".
Tony Greig during the World Series cricket Supertest Grand Final match against Australia at the SCG.
"He will be sadly missed, and our special thoughts go out to Vivian, and Tony's daughters Samantha and Beau, and sons Mark and Tom," Mr Gyngell said.
The Nine Network will screen a special tribute to Greig tonight at 6.30pm.
Richie Benaud conveyed the sad news to Greig's fellow commentators, in particular his old sparring partner Bill Lawry, Mr Gyngell said.
Greig was a key figure in recruiting English and other international players for media tycoon Kerry Packer's breakaway World Series Cricket which was staged from 1977 to 1979 and sent shockwaves through the arch-conservative sport.
Arguably the two most influential figures of modern cricket, Tony Greig with Kerry Packer at London's Dorchester Hotel in 1977. Picture: UPI
Packer's rebel series was his response to the Australian Cricket Board's refusal to give Packer's Nine Network exclusive Test broadcast rights.
WSC helped improve remunerations for players and dragged the sport into the modern age of day-night matches.
In the 1980s, the South African-born Greig became a high-profile member of the Nine Network's cricket commentary team and continued in the role until ill health sidelined him only a couple of months ago.
James Packer today paid tribute to Greig, describing him as a larger-than-life figure who "played an absolutely pivotal role in the success of World Series Cricket, which changed the game forever for the better.''
Tony Greig and his wife Vivian. Picture: Tim Hunter
"Tony stood shoulder to shoulder with my father at times when it was not always fashionable'' Mr Packer said in a statement.
"And together with the backing of other key players and supporters they forged a brave new age for both cricketers and spectators alike. For that alone, every fan of the game is in Tony Greig's debt.
"But he was much more than that. Our cricket enemy turned our mate - his famous car keys stuck in the pitch to demonstrate its hardness, and his legendary but friendly on-air barneys with the great Bill Lawry. We shall miss him dearly."
Distraught family members gathered at the cricketer's home in Sydney's eastern suburbs earlier today after he was rushed to hospital.
Greig's son Mark told The Sunday Telegraph his father's cancer had progressed to "stage four''.
"He's in the best place and is getting the best possible care," Mark said earlier today.
It was only in October that Greig announced he was battling lung cancer.
In November he underwent an operation and chemotherapy to fight the condition.
Former Australian captain Bill Lawry said he was devastated at the loss of one of his closest friends.
"We are absolutely shattered that he is no longer with us," Lawry said.
"I have been fortunate to be his friend for 33 years.
"It's a sad moment for world cricket."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard called Greig a "wonderful example of someone who came to Australia from somewhere else in the world and embraced his adopted country as his own".
"As a superb all-rounder, ambitious national captain and authoritative commentator over the best part of half a century, Greig's standing in the game is matched by very few others," Ms Gillard said in a statement.
"Australia has lost one of the iconic voices of sport."
Ms Gillard said Greig's life in cricket "wasn't always without controversy, but no one could doubt his passion and commitment to the sport he loved".
Australian coach Mickey Arthur was among the many media and sporting personalities to pay tribute to Greig on social media sites
Satirist Billy Birmingham, who famously impersonated Greig, took to Twitter to express his sadness.
"Thanks to everyone tweeting their fave 12th Man /Tony Greig moments. His death has hit me hard and I'm smiling thru tears with you all a bit," he wrote.
FACT FILE: TONY GREIG ON THE CRICKET PITCH
Tests: 58
Runs: 3599
Average: 40.43
100s: Eight
Highest score: 148
Wickets: 141
Bowling average: 32.20
Best bowling: 8-86
Catches: 87
One Day Internationals: 22
Runs: 269
Average: 16.81
Highest score: 48
Wickets: 19
Bowling average: 32.57
Best bowling: 4-45
Catches: 7
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