Former Yorkshire and England bowler Bob Appleyard dies aged 90

The former Yorkshire and England bowler Bob Appleyard has died at the age of 90.

Appleyard played just nine Tests but took 31 wickets in them at a remarkable average of 17.87, and is regarded by many as one of the world’s all-time greatest medium-pace bowlers.

He did not begin his first-class career until he was 27 and then played for just eight years, between 1950 to 1958. In that time, though, he was prolific – taking 708 wickets at 15.48.

His Test career spanned just two years, in the mid-1950s, but included an Ashes series victory in Australia under fellow Yorkshireman Len Hutton in 1954-55.

Bradford-born Appleyard’s statistics are unmatched by his contemporaries, and stand comparison with the very best from any era.

His bowling style was difficult to define – fast off-breaks, and cutters – but uniquely effective, especially on rain-affected surfaces at a time when wickets were uncovered.