Former England bowler Joey Benjamin dies at 60

Joey Benjamin, the former Warwickshire, Surrey and England seam bowler, has died at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack.

Benjamin was born in St Kitts but made his name playing county cricket for Warwickshire and Surrey, and appeared in his only Test against South Africa in 1994. He took four for 42 in the first innings of a match best remembered for team-mate Devon Malcolm’s sensational nine-wicket haul in South Africa’s second innings. Benjamin also played in two one-day internationals and finished his career with 387 first-class wickets at an average of 29.94. After retirement, he coached at Reigate Grammar School.

The England and Wales Cricket Board tweeted: “We’re saddened to learn of the death of former England seamer Joey Benjamin, who has died at the age of 60. Our thoughts are with Joey’s family and friends at this time.”

Benjamin’s long-time bowling partner at Surrey, Martin Bicknell, tweeted: “Just heard some shocking news about the loss of Joey Benjamin. Joey was one of a kind, incredibly popular in the Surrey dressing room back in the day, so sad. RIP Benjy”.