SYDNEY, March 17: Bill Brown, a former Australian Test cricketer and a member of the 1948 Invincibles squad that toured England unbeaten, has died at the age of 95, local media reported.

Brown died at a nursing home in Brisbane on Sunday, News Limited said in its Tuesday editions. His death could not be immediately confirmed by Cricket Australia or family members.

Only four of the Invincibles, which included Don Bradman and toured England unbeaten 60 years ago, remain; Neil Harvey, Arthur Morris, Sam Loxton and Ron Hamence.

Former Australian Test captain Steve Waugh said he regarded Brown as a mentor.

“He certainly had a very big influence over my era,” Waugh said. “I was very keen to have him involved in the Australian side because I looked at Bill and thought he was what the baggy green was all about.”

“The spirit he had and the respect he had playing for Australia and what it meant – he understood the modern era very well and gave us a great perspective on what it was like to play in his era.”

News Limited said Brown is survived by his wife Barbara, three sons, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Brown played in 22 Tests, scoring 1,592 runs at 46.82 and he captained Australia for their first Test after the Second World War. He formed a strong combination with Jack Fingleton and the pair averaged 63.75 in their opening stands in 10 Tests.

In 1938 at Lord’s during the Ashes tour, Brown carried his bat for an unbeaten 206. He made his Test debut in 1934 at Trent Bridge and scored 73, which was followed by his maiden century in the next match at Lord’s.

He made his first-class debut in 1932-33 for New South Wales, although he was born in Toowoomba, Queensland. He later became a state team selector and public speaker.—AP