Former Test cricketer Basil d'Oliveira has died at the age of 80.

The South Africa-born former England all-rounder died in England after a long phase of deteriorating health.

D'Oliveira was at the heart of a bitter row in the 1960s when the England tour of South Africa had to be cancelled after the government there refused to endorse his presence in the visiting squad.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Saturday has paid respects to the legendary cricketer who was popularly known as "Dolly" among his fans. CSA CEO Gerald Majola said: "He was a man of true dignity and a wonderful role model as somebody who overcame the most extreme prejudices and circumstances to take his rightful place on the world stage."

"The fact that he could have a Test career batting average of 40 in 44 Tests and an economy rate of less than 2 with the ball on his way to 47 wickets was remarkable considering he was past his prime when he made his debut for England in his mid-30s.One can only imagine what he might have achieved had he made his debut as he should have done at the age of 20 on South Africa's tour of England in 1951," he said.

South Africa