Former Australia allrounder Phil Carlson dies aged 70

Former Queensland and Australia allrounder Phil Carlson has passed away after a long illness at the age of 70.

Carlson played two Tests and four ODIs for Australia, all against England, in the summer of 1978-79 during the height of the World Series Cricket schism. He was called into the debut for the final two Tests of a six-match series, in which Australia lost 5-1 due to the absence of the World Series players.

Carlson burst onto Australia's domestic scene in 1969-70 scoring a Sheffield Shield century for Queensland as an 18-year-old. He had his two best seasons for Queensland with the bat in 1977-78 and 1978-79 averaging 45.46 and 40.33 respectively.

He finished with 4167 first-class runs at 28.34, including five centuries. He also took 124 wickets with his medium-pace bowling at 24.96, including five five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul. He was an outstanding slip fielder claiming 59 first-class catches. He retired from first-class cricket in 1980-81.

Queensland Cricket chairman Chris Simpson paid tribute to Carlson.

"Phil provided many outstanding performances for Queensland, and in his post-playing life was a popular and much-admired member of the cricketing fraternity,'' Simpson said.

"He was a great supporter of the game through positions with the Queensland Cricketers' Club and took much pleasure in being associated with country and premier cricket. We will mourn his passing and offer our sympathies to his family and friends."

He is survived by his wife Sandi, children Kandy, Steen, Kurt, Hana and nine grandchildren.