• Marron was head groundsman at Old Trafford for 25 years • Andrew Flintoff: ‘the world lost a great man today’

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Lancashire have announced the death of their former head groundsman Pete Marron. The county said that Marron had died suddenly in hospital aged 59.

Marron served as the head groundsman at Old Trafford for 25 years and prepared some notable Test surfaces, in particular the one on which Shane Warne bowled his “ball of the century” to dismiss Mike Gatting in 1993.

andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) The world lost a great man today a @LancsCCC legend and an amazing friend who took me under his wing when I was 16 #RIPPete #thankyou

andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) Pete Marron will be missed by everyone xx #RIPPete lots of love to All the family x

Marron’s passing drew tributes from several leading cricketing figures, including Andrew Flintoff, who tweeted: “The world lost a great man today a LancsCCC legend and an amazing friend who took me under his wing when I was 16 RIPPete thankyou.”

Neil Fairbrother (@Harv366) Incredibly sad news,a great Lancastrian, Peter Marron has passed away. A true friend, great man and the very best in his profession!RIP Pete

The former England one-day stalwart Neil Fairbrother, who is now an agent, also paid tribute on Twitter. “Incredibly sad news,a great Lancastrian, Peter Marron has passed away. A true friend, great man and the very best in his profession!RIP Pete,” he posted.

Two former England fast bowlers, Simon Jones and Steve Harmison, also joined the tributes as did the former England wicket-keeper Alec Stewart, who is Surrey’s director of cricket.

Simon Jones MBE (@si610) So so sad to hear Pete Marron has passed away. Absolute legend of a man. A real character and a gent! @LancsCCC

Stephen Harmison (@Harmy611) Really sad to hear Pete Marron has passed away!! a top man who produced the best cricket pitches bar none!!