Sir Alec Bedser hailed as a true cricket legend

London, Apr 6 (ANI): One of England's greatest cricketers, Sir Alec Bedser, who rebuilt the England cricket team following the Second World War and played a pivotal role in the side regaining the Ashes in 1953, has been hailed as a true cricket legend.

The Surrey hero, who took a staggering 1,924 first-class wickets, passed away at the age of 91 on Sunday night following a short illness.

ECB chairman Giles Clarke said: "He was one of the greatest England bowlers of all time, a master of seam bowling, a true legend. His contribution to cricket as a player and an administrator was immense."

Bedser served in World War II but returned to grab 100 wickets in his first full season at Surrey at the age of 28, The Sun reports.

He got 236 wickets in 51 Tests from 1946 to 1962 and took 100 wickets in a season 11 times. Bedser was inseparable from twin Eric, also a Surrey star, who died in 2006.

Surrey legend Micky Stewart said: "It was an honour to play alongside him."

International Cricket Council (ICC) President David Morgan said: "It was an honour and privilege to have known Sir Alec, whose contribution to cricket not only in England and Wales but also globally must never be under estimated.

"He was an outstanding practitioner of seam bowling and some of his contemporaries believed him to be the greatest bowler they ever faced. He was a great servant of Surrey County Cricket Club as well as being an astute and insightful administrator." (ANI)