Cricket commentator Jack Bannister dies at the age of 85

Cricket commentator Jack Bannister has died at the age of 85.

Bannister's employers Talksport, where he was still working as a cricket correspondent, announced the news on Saturday morning.

Born in Wolverhampton, Bannister spent his entire playing career as a seam bowler with Warwickshire between 1950 and 1968, finishing with 1,198 first-class wickets at an average of 21.91 from 374 matches.

He made his name as a commentator with the BBC in the 1980s before moving on to Talksport.

Sky Sports' cricket reporter Tim Abraham, currently in South Africa covering England's tour, tweeted: "Been filming around the ground to return to the sad news of Jack Bannister's passing. Encouraging to me and great listen."

David Lloyd said: "It's a really sad day. He was a true friend. He was a wonderful friend of Richie Benaud too, they were always in correspondence with each other.

"He was one of the most knowledgeable blokes I have ever met in cricket, a wonderful man, a great golf partner and we'll miss him very much.

"Jack was a true man of cricket, one of the very best. He was great, great fun. When he was in his prime everybody knew him and everybody had a good word for him."

Former England bowler Darren Gough, a colleague of Bannister's at Talksport, tweeted: "RIP Jack Bannister. A great man who was opinionated, honest, knowledgeable and passionate. A top cricketer, writer, broadcaster will be missed."

Former England international Jonathan Agnew, a presenter on the BBC, also paid his tributes, writing on Twitter: "Very sad to hear of the death of a great cricketing servant and good friend, Jack Bannister.

Mick Quinn, former Newcastle footballer, and currently a presenter at Talksport, tweeted: "Sad News. Former Cricketer and Talksport Cricket man Jack Bannister has passed away. Our Jack will be missed."

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And a Warwickshire statement read:  "Sad to hear of Jack Bannister's passing. A true Bear and a pro in the comm box. Our thoughts are with his family."

Bannister also helped set up the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) following the end of his playing career.

Jason Ratcliffe, the assistant chief executive of the PCA and chairman of the Warwickshire Old County Cricketers' Association, said: "There is no denying that every cricketer owes Jack a huge debt of gratitude because he was one of the pioneers who were responsible for laying the foundations for the organisation we have now."