John Murray, the former England and Middlesex wicketkeeper-batsman, passed away on Tuesday, 24 July. He was 83.

Murray watched Middlesex beat Warwickshire at Lord’s in a County Championship match on Tuesday, but fell ill thereafter. He died later that evening.

Murray, considered among the most graceful wicket-keepers in the game, played 21 Tests for England, and scored a century against West Indies in 1966.

He truly made his mark in the first-class circuit. He played 635 games, most of them for Middlesex, and scored 18,872 runs. He claimed more than 1500 dismissals as a wicket-keeper, the second highest on the all-time list – only Bob Taylor, with 1649 dismissals, has claimed more.

MIDDLESEX MOURNS JT MURRAY



We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Middlesex's finest cricketers, JT Murray MBE.



Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this extremely sad time.



Click here ➡️ https://t.co/0XcoLr8feg pic.twitter.com/Q4Ody5YOCp — Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) July 25, 2018

John Emburey, the Middlesex president, said: "Losing JT is a devastating blow to Middlesex Cricket. He is undoubtedly the finest wicket-keeper in the history of the club and would be one of the first names on any team sheet when picking an all-time Middlesex XI. What he achieved is unlikely to be repeated.

"He was not only a very fine cricketer, but was a fine man – loyal and committed to Middlesex Cricket. He was a Middlesex man through and through and he continued to serve the club magnificently after retirement as a committee man, confidant and, most of all supporter. In many ways, it was fitting that his last day was spent at Lord's enjoying a Middlesex victory.

“The thoughts and prayers of everyone associated with Middlesex go out to his family and friends at this desperately sad time."