LONDON: Respected English cricket journalist and commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins has died of cancer at the age of 67, his former colleagues announced on Tuesday.

Popularly known as 'CMJ' in Great Britain, Martin-Jenkins was one of the voices of Test Match Special on BBC Radio and previously worked for the Daily Telegraph and the Times.

"Desperately sad to tell you that CMJ died peacefully this morning," his friend and colleague Jonathan Agnew said on Twitter.

Martin-Jenkins also served as the president of Marylebone Cricket Club in 2010 and 2011.

The official Twitter account of Lord's, the home of English cricket, wrote: "Former MCC President Christopher Martin-Jenkins has died. Sad, sad news to start the new year."

Martin-Jenkins' son, Robin, played professional cricket for Sussex and made 162 first-class appearances for the country before retiring in 2010.

Martin-Jenkins was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2012 and released his memoir, entitled 'CMJ: A Cricketing Life', the following April.

Former England all-rounder and current broadcaster Ian Botham tweeted: "Very sad to hear of the death of the 'Major'... Christopher Martin Jenkins. Our thoughts are with the family . A true Gentleman !!"

Agnew, a long-term collaborator with Martin-Jenkins at the BBC, praised his colleague for having earned the respect of the cricketing world despite having never played at the top level.

"He was one of cricket's most respected writers and broadcasters," Agnew told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"With modern media now preferring the views and experiences of former Test cricketers, Christopher's authority and respect was gained not through a high-profile playing career, but a deep-rooted love of the game.

"Listeners to Test Match Special will be all too familiar with CMJ's eccentricities, like going to the wrong ground for the start of a Test match, for example. His legendary chaotic time-keeping was very much part of his charm.

"It's doubtful if anyone has contributed more in a lifetime to the overall coverage of cricket than Christopher Martin-Jenkins."

Current MCC president Mike Griffith said: "CMJ will be sorely missed.

"Everyone at MCC shares the sadness now being felt by the cricketing world that his live commentaries will never be heard again."

Giles Clarke, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said cricket had lost "one of its greatest champions".

"Christopher was a supremely talented broadcaster and writer; a fount of knowledge about cricket - both past and present; and, as a devoted supporter of Sussex, someone who cared deeply about County cricket and the wider recreational game," he said.

"He was a man of great personal integrity, a true gentleman and our thoughts today are with his family and his close friends." - AFP

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