Greig died at the age of 66 after suffering a heart attack at his Sydney home. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
"In sad news, beloved Tony Greig, former England cricket captain has passed away today at the age of 66," broadcaster Channel Nine, which employed Greig as a cricket commentator, said on Twitter.
"To his family and friends we pass on our best wishes."
Greig, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in October, was taken to a Sydney hospital but died at about 1:45 pm (0245 GMT).
"The staff of the emergency department worked on Mr Greig to no avail," a spokesman at St Vincent's hospital told local media.
South Africa-born Greig, who played 58 tests for England, made his test debut against Australia in Manchester in 1972 and amassed 3,599 runs for an average of 40.43 until his last match at the Oval against the same opponents in 1977.
An imposing figure standing at 1.98 metres tall (6ft-6in), Greig was also a successful bowler with 141 test wickets at an average of 32.20.
Greig was stripped of the captaincy for his role in recruiting players for late Australian businessman Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket in the 1970s and his international career ended shortly after.
Greig, a long-time resident Down Under, became a summer fixture in Australian lounge-rooms as a cricket commentator for Packer's Channel Nine since 1979, having been promised a "job for life" by the media mogul, among a number of other roles in the media.
"Our family wants to extend our gratitude for the support and condolences we have received and would ask for privacy at this very sad time," his wife Vivian said in a statement.
Greig leaves behind two daughters and two sons.
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Tony will surely be missed. While listening to him you never turn down the volume and his commentary didn't need the tv. He visualized the game for all of us and he was one of the rarest commentators who was above and beyond national pettiness that is usually part and parcel of this trade. He will surely be missed by millions of viewers. There is no one quite like him.
Sad news man, he was one of the greatest people in the game. He made his mark on the field with his charismatic gameplay and off it with his crispy, distinct style of commentary. He will always be remembered for immortalizing cricket moments. Rest in peace, champion.
One of the finest cricket commentators the game has produced and my favourite commentator. This has happened so suddenly. Tony Greig you will be terribly missed. May your soul rest in peace
I grew up listening to your familiar voice booming out of the television set, be it from from Sharjah , India or Australia in the wee hours of the early morning. You had a revolutionary spirit about you as a Captain, in the Word Series and as Commentator. Cricket has lost a great ambassador and it will not be the same without you . You will be sorely missed. RIP!
If rated.... he would stand as the number one commentator of the cricketing world RIP Tony
R.I.P......he was the man who transformed cricket commentary on television....his voice will continue to echo in the minds of all cricket lovers !!!! Condolences from the whole of Pakistan.
Undoubtedly, one of the best commentator the Cricketing World has ever produced. Full of enthusiasm and very lively in the comm box. I still remember his last words as a commentator, "They are dancing in the aisles in the UAE", when Pakistan beat Australia in a T20 game earlier this year. RIP Greigy! Surely you'll be missed.