Cricket Australia pays tribute to Ashes legend

Cricket Australia has today offered its condolences to the family and friends of cricketer Ron Hamence, a member of Sir Donald Bradman's Invincibles squad which toured England in 1949 and a batsman who wore Baggy Green number 176 in three Test matches for Australia.

Hamence, who has died in Adelaide aged 94, was the oldest living Australian to have played Test cricket.

He played 99 first-class games as a batsman who liked to attack bowling, including a Test in Australia in 1947 against England and two in 1948 against India.

He was a popular member of the Invincibles squad in England, including as 12th man, but did not play a Test in that series.

In offering Australian cricket's condolences, CA Chairman Jack Clarke noted that Hamence's personal popularity with his fellow players of his time had survived more than half a century since his playing days, and was the first thing noted about his legacy when retired cricketers reflected on Australia's golden era post World War 2.

Hamence's career spanned 15 Australian summers from 1935-36 until 1950-51 but like so many of his generation, his cricket was interrupted by World War 2, during which he served in the Royal Australian Air Force.

In all, he made 5285 first-class runs at 37.75, with 11 centuries - including in his first and last games - with a top score of 173.

He is survived by daughter Lynette Hallett and granddaughters Sharon and Jan.