Trevor Bailey

[mrs_emma_peel]

Trevor Bailey, 87, who played 61 Tests during a 10-year international career, died early Thursday in a fire at his home, the ECB said in a statement.

Bailey, who also enjoyed a 21-year career with Essex before finding success as a cricket writer and broadcaster, was known as "barnacle" following several stubborn stints at the crease.

Arguably his most famous innings came in the Lord's Test against Australia in 1953, when along with Willie Watson, he helped stave off defeat which enabled England to retain the Ashes.

"Trevor Bailey was not only one of the finest all-round cricketers this country has ever produced, he was also someone who made an enormous contribution to the game as an administrator and as a writer and broadcaster," ECB chairman Giles Clarke said in a statement Thursday. "His loss will be deeply felt by everyone within the cricket community and we send our sympathies to his family and many friends within the game."

ECB chief executive David Collier meanwhile paid tribute to Bailey's work as a pillar of BBC Radio's Test Match Special. "Everyone who met Trevor could not fail to be impressed by his deep love and knowledge of cricket," Collier said.

"It was a passion that he was able to communicate to millions via radio as a member of the Test Match Special commentary team and there will be very many cricket supporters in this country who will be mourning his loss in such tragic circumstances."

Yahoo/Sky News

I loved listening to Trevor's expert comments between overs in partnership with Fred Trueman on BBC's Test Match Special ... what desperately sad news ... RIP Trevor
Emma

[Santonix]

Very sad indeed. A great all round player with a deep understanding of the game. In the history of cricket he was one of only nine players who have scored over 20,000 runs and taken over 2000 wickets in their first class career's and one of only three who have achieved this feat since the war.

As a commentator on Test Match Special he was both knowledgeable and precise in his summations and displayed a dry witty humour.

He died in a fire at his home aged 87, thankfully his wife Greta was rescued. He played the straightest of bats. R.I.P.

[RogerThornhill]

I loved listening to Trevor's expert comments between overs in partnership with Fred Trueman on BBC's Test Match Special ... what desperately sad news ... RIP Trevor
Emma

Yes very sad news indeed, I must have spent countless hours listening to him on Test Match Special and he always came up with very insightful observations. He seemed like a real gentleman of "The old school," very courteous and equally reliable, someone you could really depend on. I'm so sorry that he had such a tragic end. R.I.P. Trevor.

[Windthrop]

RIP Trevor - a TMS legend

[batman]

RIP Trevor Bailey .... I remember him coming with Essex to play Norfolk in the 70s and he seemed like such a nice man. A very tagic end to his life but at age 87 he did, as they say, have a good innings.

[wadsy]

There's been much mention of this on the radio & TV here. He was held in very high esteem. R.I.P. Sir!!