Ray Illingworth dead aged 89: Former England cricket captain and Yorkshire legend passes away

ENGLISH cricket legend Ray Illingsworth has died aged 89.

The icon played 61 tests for his country between 1958 and 1973.

He scored 1,836 test runs at an average of 23.24.

And he also claimed 122 wickets at 31.20.

But his most memorable moments were leading England to Ashes Test victories over Australia in 1970-71.

Illingworth captained England 31 times in total and won 12 of those matches.

He had been getting radiotherapy treatment for oesophageal cancer.

Illingworth played for Yorkshire from 1951–68 and later in 1982–83.

He also represented Leicestershire 1969–78.

The icon played for England from 1958 until 1973 and was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1960.

Yorkshire confirmed the sad news with a statement on Christmas Day.

It read: “We are deeply saddened to learn that Ray Illingworth has passed away.

“Our thoughts are with Ray’s family and the wider Yorkshire family who held Ray so dear to their hearts.”