South African Lindsay Tuckett, who was the oldest surviving former Test cricketer, died Monday in Bloemfontein aged 97, his family said.

"On behalf of the Cricket South Africa family I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and cricketing colleagues," said chief executive Haroon Lorgat.

A tall fast bowler, he won nine caps in home and away series against England between 1947 and 1949.

He took 15 Test wickets at an average of 44.26 in England, but only four in South Africa at an average of 79.

Tuckett captured 225 wickets in 61 first-class matches at an average of 23.07.

His death makes another South African, 93-year-old John Watkins, the oldest surviving former Test cricketer.

An all-rounder, he represented his country 15 times between 1949 and 1957.