Australian cricketer Bob Holland, who became his country's third-oldest Test debutant in 1984, has died at the age of 70.

The legspinner had been battling an aggressive form of brain cancer and died after suffering a brain bleed at Newcastle Hospital on Sunday, according to cricinfo.com.

He had attended a function in his honour, hosted by former Test captain Mark Taylor.

"He had the best time of his life on Friday where he spent time with a lot of his mates at his dinner," Holland's son Craig told the Newcastle Herald on Sunday.

"He showed no pain on the night and stayed till the end of the show. My family was amazed as we thought he might stay an hour or two."

Holland made his debut for NSW at the age of 32, not playing his first Test until six years later against the West Indies at the Gabba.

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Known commonly as "Dutchy" Holland, he would go on to play 11 Tests.

Only 46-year-olds Don Blackie and Bert Ironmonger in 1928 put on their first Baggy Green at an older age.

In the SCG Test of that series Holland took 10 for 144 to set up an innings win against one of the strongest West Indian teams of all time.

The following summer, Holland took 10 for 174 against New Zealand, also at the SCG.

In total he claimed 34 Test wickets at 39.76 and was part of a NSW squad that secured three Sheffield Shield titles during the 1980s.

He was regarded as a batting bunny who averaged just 3.18.

AAP