MELBOURNE, Sept 5: Col Egar who was in charge of Australian cricket as an administrator and also umpired some historic Test matches as an in the 1960s, died here after a protracted illness. He was 80.

Egar was umpire in 29 of the 30 Tests played in Australia between 1960-69, making his international debut in the famous tied Test between the Australians and the West Indies at Brisbane in 1960.

He was also at the center of one of the throwing controversies of the 1960s when he no-balled Australian fast bowler Ian Meckiff from square leg four times in his first over in the first Test of 1963-64 series between Australia and South Africa at Brisbane. Captain Richie Benaud did not bowl Meckiff again, effectively ending the bowler’s international career.

Incensed fans reportedly made death threats to Egar, who was given a police escort and security every day during a subsequent Test in the series at Melbourne, Meckiff’s home town.

After retiring from umpiring, Egar was a cricket administrator for 28 years, including head of Cricket Australia from 1989-92.—AP