Close of play

LONDON: Brian Close, England’s youngest Test cricketer and the man who had the courage to take blows from the fearsome West Indies fast bowlers on his body, died at the age of 84 on Sunday. The left-handed batting all-rounder made his debut at the age of 18 against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1949, and went on to play 22 Tests, out of which he captained England in seven. The former Yorkshire skipper, who also played three ODIs, had a highest score of 70 to go alongside his 18 wickets in the longer format. – Reuters