Former Australian leggie Bob Holland passes away

Former leg-spinner Bob Holland, who in 1984 became Australia's third-oldest Test debutant of all time, has passed away. He was 70.

He died on Sunday in a Newcastle hospital following a battle with brain cancer. He was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer in late March and had surgery a week later to remove part of the tumour, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Holland had on Friday attended a function in his honour, hosted by former Test skipper Mark Taylor.

"He had the best time of his life on Friday where he spent time with a lot of his mates at his dinner," ESPNcricinfo quoted Holland's son Craig as saying.

"He showed no pain on the night and stayed till the end of the show. My family was amazed as we thought he might stay an hour or two," he added.

Bob "Dutchy" Holland made his Test debut at the age of 38 against West Indies at the Gabba in 1984. He spun Australia to victory with 10 wickets against the West Indies at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in early 1985.

Holland took 34 wickets in 11 Tests at 39.76. He was also part of the New South Wales group that secured three Sheffield Shield titles during the 1980s.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, two sons and a daughter.

-ANI