BRADFORD-born Bob Appleyard, one of Yorkshire and England's greatest bowlers and a former president of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, has died aged 90.

Perhaps his most extraordinary achievement, however, was to capture 200 first-class wickets in his first full season for Yorkshire in 1951. He was the first cricketer to perform the feat and the record still stands today.

Appleyard, who did not begin his first-class career until he was 27 – and then only played for nine seasons – took 708 wickets at an average of 15.48, with 642 of them for Yorkshire at 15.42.

In his youth, he had spent months in hospital because of tuberculosis, which kept him out of cricket for the 1952 and 1953 seasons, and his career was cut short by worsening health.

Appleyard, strong willed in overcoming adversity, only played in nine Tests but bagged 31 wickets at a remarkable average of 17.87 and is regarded by many as one of the world's all-time greatest medium-pace bowlers.

His Test career spanned just two years but included an Ashes series victory in Australia under fellow Yorkshireman Len Hutton in 1954-55, where he topped the bowling averages despite the presence of Frank Tyson and Brian Statham. The previous summer he had taken 5-51 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge.

Appleyard's statistics are unmatched by his contemporaries and stand comparison with the best from any era.

His bowling style was difficult to define – it was best described as fast off-breaks and subtle cutters, often inswinging – but was uniquely effective, especially on rain-affected surfaces at a time when wickets were uncovered.

Wibsey-born Appleyard played for Bowling Old Lane, among other clubs in the Bradford League, and was instrumental in both Yorkshire returning to his beloved Bradford Park Avenue in the 1990s and of them having the Yorkshire Academy based there before they moved to Headingley.

He was also on the Yorkshire committee, serving as cricket chairman before becoming county president from 2006-08.

Former Yorkshire and England off-spinner, Geoff Cope, paying tribute to Bob, said: "For him to take 642 wickets for Yorkshire in such a short career shows what a great bowler he was, and in the right conditions he was virtually unplayable.

"The hardest thing for a captain to do with Bob was to get the ball off him once he was into his spell, and this was because he saw bowling as a great challenge, particularly against top-class batsmen.

"There was always feisty competition between himself and another great Yorkshire bowler, Johnny Wardle, but each had a great respect for the other and took immense pleasure in doing their best for the team.

"Bob was respected by first-class bowlers around the world, and his work for cricket charities connected with the Yorkshire club was outstanding. His love of Bradford Park Avenue was to the fore in all of his cricket conversations."

Yorkshire president Dickie Bird is in no doubt about Appleyard's standing, and believes he would have gone on to even greater deeds had his health allowed.

"He didn't play as long as he should, because of the illness. If he had, he would have broken all records - because he was a wonderful bowler," said Bird.

Bird began his own playing career at Yorkshire before joining Leicestershire and going on to find fame as an umpire.

He made a point of trying to test himself against Appleyard in the nets.

He added: "I always used to try to go into his net and face him - or Johnny Wardle or Fred Trueman - as much as I could, because they were all magnificent bowlers."

Yorkshire chairman Colin Graves, about to take on the same role at the England and Wales Cricket Board, paid his own tribute.

"It is desperately sad to have learnt the passing away of Bob Appleyard," he said.

"Bob was tenaciously loyal to the club throughout his lifetime, and an excellent president.

"Without doubt, he'll be remembered as one of Yorkshire cricket's post-war greats. He played for Yorkshire and England with distinction and gave everything to the game.

"For many years, he has been a regular at Headingley, supporting the team. He will be missed at matches this summer.

"I would like to pass on my deepest sympathy to Bob's family."