FORMER Kent leg-spinner Algernon Marsham, a member of a highly distinguished cricketing family, has died at the age of 84.

Mr Marsham, born in Chart Sutton, near Maidstone and educated at Eton and Oxford University, made six appearances for Kent in 1946-47 as a leg-break bowler and right-handed batsman, scoring 75 runs at an average of 7.50 and taking five wickets costing 39.40 each.

His father Cloudesely, known as 'Slug', led Kent to their first ever championship in 1906, while his great uncle George represented Kent in 1876-77 and was president in 1886.

Algernon Marsham's wickets for Kent included Joe Hardstaff (twice) and Reg Simpson (twice). He was considered for the county captaincy when Bryan Valentine gave up, but business concerns intervened.