Former South Africa all-rounder Eddie Barlow has died at the age of 65 following a long illness, the BBC reported on Saturday.

Barlow played 30 Tests from 1961-70, scoring 2,561 runs at an average of 45.74 and taking 40 wickets at 34.05 each with his medium-pace bowling.

He had been confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke in 2000 and spent his final years in north Wales.

Barlow, a burly player who wore spectacles, was a key player in a golden era for South African cricket before the international sporting boycott in response to the republic's racial separation policies.

He was an attacking opening batsman who scored five of his six centuries against Australia and an aggressive bowler whose best figures of five for 85 also came against the Australians.

After his Test career was cut short following a 4-0 series victory over Australia, Barlow played for English county Derbyshire and was briefly coach of Bangladesh before his stroke.