NZ's oldest surviving Test cricketer John Reid passes away at 92

Christchurch:John Richard Reid, former New Zealand great and their oldest surviving Test player, has died at the age of 92 in Auckland, the country's cricket board said on Wednesday.

Reid, regarded as one of the world's best all-rounders during his heyday in the fifties and early sixties, captained New Zealand in 34 Tests including, most notably, the country's first three victories.

"John R Reid was New Zealand cricket's Colin Meads. He was, and will remain, a household name in this country, having helped pave the way for everything that has come in his wake,'' New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said in a statement offering his tributes.

"Our thoughts and respect are with his family at this time: wife Norli; children Alison, Richard and Ann, and his grand-children, Oliver, Megan, Christina and Angus. NZC will acknowledge and mark John's wonderful life and career at an appropriate time," he added.

However, the NZC statement did not specify the cause of Reid's death.

Born in Auckland, and educated in Wellington, Reid was a prolific first-class cricketer, who played 246 first-class games, scoring 16128 runs at 41.35, while taking 466 wickets at 22.60.

A hard-hitting right batsman and a seam bowler, he played 58 Tests after making his debut as a 19-year-old in 1949, scoring 3428 runs at 33.28, while taking 85 wickets at 33.35.

He retired in 1965 and later became a New Zealand selector, manager, and an ICC match referee.

Reid was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, but fought against it to recover completely after undergoing surgery, and in August 2015, became the oldest surviving Test cricketer from New Zealand after Trevor Barber passed away. (UNI)