Former South Africa bowler Adcock dies at 81

Former South Africa fast bowler Neil Adcock has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 81.

Cricket South Africa said that Adcock died on Sunday after contracting pneumonia.

He played 26 tests for South Africa between 1953 and 1962 and was chosen by the respected Wisden Cricket Almanack as one of its five cricketers of the year in 1961 following his 26 wickets at 22.52 during South Africa's series in England in 1960.

CSA acting chief executive Jacques Faul paid tribute to Adcock as "one of the great fast bowlers during what was truly a golden era of fast bowling" and said he formed "South Africa's first great new ball attack" with the late Peter Heine.

Adcock took 104 career wickets at an average of 21.10.