SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Flamboyant former England cricket captain and television commentator Tony Greig died of a heart attack Saturday at the age of 66, as he battled lung cancer.

South African-born Greig, a swashbuckling middle-order batsman and medium-fast bowler, had only been diagnosed with cancer two months ago and died shortly after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Sydney home.

Greig was a controversial, swaggering figure throughout his career, once prompting a storm of criticism when he promised to make the West Indies “grovel” ahead of their 1976 tour of England, evoking the spectre of slavery.

He was instrumental in the formation of late Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer’s breakaway World Series Cricket (WSC) contest staged from 1977-79, which sent shockwaves through the sport.

Greig, who worked for Australia’s Nine Network for decades, first became aware of his illness during Australia’s One-Day series against Pakistan in Dubai in August and September.

On his return to Sydney, he had fluid removed from his right lung and tests revealed he had cancer, said the network, who described him as a “beloved” character.

Last month, ahead of an operation, Greig spoke to the network’s cricket commentary team, of which he was a member, saying: “It’s not good. The truth is I’ve got lung cancer. Now it’s a case of what they can do.”

On Christmas Day he tweeted: “Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to you all. Would love to be at Test but son Tom and I will be tuned in?”

Greig played 58 Tests for his adopted country England between 1972 and 1977, scoring 3,599 runs with eight centuries at 40.43 and captured 141 wickets at 32.20.

He captained England in 14 Tests and also played in 22 One-Day internationals.