Phil Sharpe dead: Former Yorkshire and England batsman Sharpe dies, aged 77

Sharpe played 12 Tests for England and won seven county championships with Yorkshire but it was his slip-fielding that he will be remembered for

England test captain John Edrich and two century-making batsmen Phil Sharpe and Ray Illingworth take shelter as rain stops play in the Second Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge (Getty Images)

Former Yorkshire and England batsman Phil Sharpe has died, at the age of 77.

Sharpe played 12 Tests in the 1960s, notably few given his average of 46.23, and was a member of seven county championship-winning teams at Yorkshire.

It is for his reputation as one of the greatest slip fielders of all time that he will perhaps be best remembered.

In that position, Sharpe took more than 600 catches in his 20-year career - many of them breath-takingly brilliant - and he also made in excess of 22,000 first-class runs.

Yorkshire president Dickie Bird, a contemporary of Sharpe's as a player, said: "I grew up with Philip in the nets at Yorkshire.

"He was one of the best slip fielders I ever saw. He would be ranked amongst the very best alongside the likes of Mark Waugh, Bobby Simpson, Ian Botham and Ian Chappell

"In my opinion he should have played more times for England. His batting record at Test level was fantastic. Averaging over 46 is a big achievement in the international arena.

"Philip was a true gentleman, and he will be a sad loss to Yorkshire Cricket."

PA