Botham leads tributes as bowler Dilley dies at 52

Dilley, who played in 41 Tests and took 138 wickets, will be always be remembered for his crucial tail-end batting in the Botham-led heroics which turned round England’s fortunes against Australia at Headingley in 1981.

In a 10-year international career, Dilley – initially of Kent and then Worcestershire – helped England win the urn in that astounding 1981 series, and retain it Down Under in 1986-87.

After retiring, he became an assistant England coach and then bowling coach of the national women’s team.

“We only heard a few days ago how ill Graham was,” Botham said. “We’re all shocked that this can happen to someone who’s 52. Very shocked.”

And Botham, who joined Worcestershire at the same time as Dilley, paid tribute to his former team-mate. “I’ve got so many fond memories of him. He ran in to bowl in the Caribbean, first ball, and the heel fell off his boot.

“Typical Graham he’s only brought one pair with him on an England tour so there was panic there, but he was a fantastic cricketer who had a lot of talent.”

He added: “He was a good bloke to be around. He was quite quiet and reserved until you got to know him, he wasn’t a great social person until you got to know him, but then he was the life and soul of the party. It’s a very sad day.”

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier said: “Graham inspired many young cricketers through the (Loughborough) University programme and was a highly-respected coach to our representative teams.”

Current England’s paceman Stuart Broad also paid tribute on Twitter: “Very sad to hear about Graham Dilley. Wonderful fast bowler and lovely man. 52 is too young. RIP.”