Former West Indies spinner Sonny Ramadhin dies, aged 92

Ramadhin was a member of the team that recorded a first series win in England in 1950, combining with Alf Valentine to take 59 wickets

Sonny Ramadhin, the ex-West Indies spinner, has died aged 92.

He played 43 Tests for his country, taking 158 wickets.

Most famous for being part of the first West Indies team to claim a series win in England, Ramadhin was a dominant figure for just over a decade.

The first East Indian to represent West Indies, he earned a maiden call-up after just two first-class appearances.

In tandem with Alf Valentine, the pair combined for 59 wickets to secure a 3-1 win over England in 1950 - as part of the side that included Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes and Frank Worrell.

^{Ramadhin with Alf Valentine (right) (Jimmy Sime/Getty Images)}

Ramadhin took three five-wicket hauls that summer and in the second Test at Lord's claimed career-best figures of 11 for 152 to help secure the Windies' first win at the old ground.

"West Indies, by winning a rubber in England for the first time, established themselves as a major cricketing power; and if their effective strength was soon to switch from spin to pace, that still cannot detract from the diverting effectiveness of the legendary and calypso-established Ramadhin and Valentine - nor, indeed, the entertainment they provided - partly by their own transparent delight in their success," wrote John Arlott for ESPNCricinfo.

Central to Ramadhin's success was his deceptive action, with opposition batters unable to pick his off-spinners or leggies.

Rest in Peace Mr President the world has lost an absolute gentleman. No words can describe how much you meant to our little club.

— Friarmere CC (@FriarmereCC) February 27, 2022

Capable of long, enduring spells from a single end, Ramandhin bowled 98 overs - the most delivered in a first-class innings - in the second innings of the drawn first Test against England at Edgbaston.

It was after his international career had reached its climax that he joined Lancashire in 1964.

Up until his passing Ramadhin was the Red Rose's oldest living former player. He played 33 times across two seasons, claiming 92 wickets at 22.23 in his maiden campaign.

A spell with Lincolnshire followed between 1968 and 1972 before his retirement aged 57.

"Sad day - great innings grandad," Kyle posted on Twitter

Sad day - great innings grandad https://t.co/5Q04tNwagU

— Kyle Hogg (@kylehogg22) February 27, 2022

Son-in-law Willie Hogg, who also played for Warwickshire, and grandson Kyle Hogg also represented Lancashire.

Latterly, he became president at Friarmere CC where his son, Craig, completed 50 seasons last year.

"Rest in Peace Mr President the world has lost an absolute gentleman," the club wrote on Twitter. "No words can describe how much you meant to our little club."