Illingworth, who led England to an Ashes Test series victory over Australia in 1970-71, had been getting radiotherapy treatment for oesophageal cancer.

He played 61 tests for England between 1958 and 1973, scoring 1,836 test runs at an average of 23.24 and claimed 122 wickets at 31.20.

He captained England 31 times, winning 12 of those matches and he played in the first-ever one-day international in 1971.

In the 1990s Illingworth was part of the England management set up. He was chairman of selectors between 1993 and 1996 and he coached the team from 1995 to 1996.

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Tom Harrison said in a statement: "It's always incredibly sad to lose a person who has given so much to the English game, and to the sport of cricket in general.

"Ray was a superb cricketer, and his deep love, passion and knowledge for the game meant he continued to contribute long after his playing days had finished. We send our sympathy and warmest wishes to Ray's friends and family at this difficult time."

Illingworth played for Yorkshire and Leicestershire during his career. Both counties tweeted their condolences, with Yorkshire saying: "Our thoughts are with Ray's family and the wider Yorkshire family who held Ray so dear to their hearts."

Marylebone Cricket Club, of which Illingworth was an honorary life member, also said it was "deeply saddened" to learn of his death.

Illingworth was successful at county level, winning seven championships with Yorkshire between 1959 and 1967, before picking up the same trophy with Leicestershire in 1975.

His early time in charge of England also oversaw one of the team's most successful spells. He captained England for 19 of their 26-match unbeaten run between 1968-1971, then a world record feat.

But it was his time at Farsley Cricket Club that bookended his involvement in the game.

His local club, situated between Leeds and Bradford, is where he played the game as a youngster and where he returned to in his older age, becoming club president in recent years.

Farsley said that "cricket has lost a great".

Illingworth had also more latterly been vocal on the issue of law changes around assisted dying, having watched his wife Shirley die earlier this year from cancer.

He said at the time: "I don't want to have the last 12 months that my wife had, she had a terrible time going from hospital to hospital and in pain."

"But we don't have assisted dying in England yet, so you don't have the option do you? They are debating it and I think it will come eventually."