Wellington, Aug 2 (DPA): New Zealander Eric Tindill, who was the world's oldest surviving Test cricketer, has died aged 99 and 226 days, his family announced here Monday.

Tindill was also the oldest surviving New Zealand international rugby test player and the only New Zealander to be capped in both rugby and cricket.

He died Sunday in a hospital here.

A left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper, Tindill's cricket career was interrupted by World War II, playing in five Test matches between 1937 and 1947.

A highlight was catching the great Australian batsman Don Bradman in the only match he played against New Zealand. The match was in Adelaide and Bradman was playing for South Australia at the time.

Tindill played 16 times for the New Zealand All Blacks, but only one test, against England in London in January 1936, which they lost 0-13.

After retiring from playing, he went on to referee Test rugby matches and umpire Test cricket.