Flamboyant former England cricket captain and television commentator Tony Greig died of a heart attack yesterday at the age of 66, as he battled lung cancer.
South African-born Greig had only recently been diagnosed with cancer and suffered a cardiac arrest at his Sydney home, dying shortly afterwards.
"Tong Greig passed away at St Vincent's Hospital of cardiac arrest at 1.45pm," hospital spokesman David Faktor said.
"He was rushed to St Vincent's and staff at the emergency department worked on Mr Greig but to no avail. I understand his family was with him."
Greig, who worked for Australia's Nine Network for decades, first became aware of his illness during Australia's one-day series against Pakistan in Dubai in August and September.
"Tony Greig is a name synonymous with Australian cricket - from his playing days as the English captain we loved to hate, to his senior role in the revolution of World Series Cricket, his infamous car keys in the pitch reports and more than three decades of colourful and expert commentary," Nine said.