Tributes have been paid in England to Sir Donald Bradman, the Australian batting legend who died earlier today, aged 92.

Former England fast bowler Fred Trueman was deeply saddened by the news and told PA Sport: "He was possibly the greatest batsman who ever lived.

"I found him to be a great friend and a very nice man and when I went to Australia I used to go and see him and became very friendly with him.

"I would love to have had the great honour of bowling against him - that would have been marvellous. He was a wonderful man and it is a passing of a legend."

Asked if he thought anyone could surpass Bradman's status in the world game, Trueman said: "I would not have thought so, never again or before. He was simply the best and I am very sad."

England's chairman of selectors David Graveney felt the news would be certain to "rock" Australia.

He told PA Sport: "It is a sad loss for the game; the word icon is perhaps used too often, but it does apply to him.

"It is a sad loss, particularly in Australia where he was highly regarded and loved.

"I have been fortunate to go to Australia a couple of times and you do really understand the status of Sir Donald and so it will rock Australia to its foundations."

Former Test umpire Dickie Bird agreed that Bradman's feats, which included a Test Match batting average of 99.94, would never be equalled. "No one will get near that average," he said.

"The Bodyline series will always be remembered but you also have to say that he skippered the Australian side in 1948 and that was possibly the best Test side which has ever played the game.

"He was a wonderful player, who seemed to caress the ball. He was a genius," Bird told BBC News 24.

"It is a massive blow for cricket. He had a gift. He had balance, saw the ball early and had a tremendous eye."

Former England captain Brian Close felt perhaps Bradman's greatest quality was his humility despite his remarkable achievements.

"He set such high standards and was great for Australian cricket. He was the greatest batsman and his efforts were magnificent," Close told PA Sport.

"He gave Australia a lot to live for and I doubt he will ever be surpassed.

"He was never overpowering with his deeds; he was meek in some ways and did not thrust it down people's throat. Today's players could learn a lot from him.

"It is a sad day for cricket in general because he was so well liked and looked up to."

Former England batsman Tom Graveney added: "Don was a colossus as far as cricket is concerned.

"When Wisden asked 100 people for their five cricketers of the century, he got 100%. He was a wonderful man.

"When he finished playing, he was involved in Australian cricket for the next 40 years. He was the wise man of cricket and was in a class of his own.

"I cannot think that anyone would come anywhere near him and he is without any question Australia's greatest ever sportsman," he told Sky News.

Mike Gatting, another former England skipper, joined in the tributes. "He was the greatest player of his generation, there is no doubt about that," he said.

"People used to write in for autographs from him long after he retired from playing. He made a lot of people very happy.

"I hope he will be remembered for the great player he was. Wisden recognised him as one of the five greatest players in history and his average proves that beyond doubt.

"No one scored so freely again. He seemed to be ahead of his time by such a long way. He was a very gifted player," Gatting told Sky Sports.

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