FORMER Worcestershire pace bowler Brian Brain has died aged 83, the county have confirmed. 

Brain, born and raised in Worcester, spent 17 years at New Road and won three County Championship titles, as well as picking up 508 first-class wickets. 

Current Worcestershire Board Member, Paul Pridgeon, who played alongside Brain in the early 1970s, said: "Brian was a very deceptive bowler, had a very whippy action and was quicker than you thought.

"He hit the bat quite hard and got batters jumping about. He was quicker than people gave him credit for and he and Vanburn Holder were an excellent partnership."

Brain's Worcestershire career: 

After making his debut in 1959, Brain had to wait five years for his next appearance but then played an important role with 31 wickets at 24.19 in the title success of 1964.

Brain followed that with another 44 when the Championship crown was retained in 1965, including three five-wicket hauls.

He continued to play a significant role for Worcestershire in the late 1960s and during the first half of the 1970s.

73 first-class wickets in 1969 was followed by 84 in both the 1973 and 1974 seasons, the second of which saw Worcestershire again finish as champions.

After 52 wickets in 1975, Brain left New Road to finish his career with Gloucestershire (1976 to 1981) and then Shropshire (1982) before hanging up his spikes.