Martin-Jenkins, who was born in Peterborough, joined the BBC as part of the channel's Test Match Special team in 1973, after a modest cricket career.

He was given an MBE in 2009 and served as the Marylebone Cricket Club's president in 2010 and 2011.

Martin-Jenkins was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2012, shortly after returning from England's tour of the United Arab Emirates.

The journalist, also known as CMJ, worked as the BBC's cricket correspondent twice, first between 1973 and 1980 and then from 1985 and 1991, while also commentating on the network's television coverage between 1981 and 1985.

The official Twitter account of Lord's wrote: "Former MCC President Christopher Martin-Jenkins has died. Sad, sad news to start the new year."

Martin-Jenkins' colleague and friend, Jonathan Agnew said he was one of cricket's most respected writers.

"Desperately sad to tell you that CMJ died peacefully this morning. He was one of cricket's most respected writers and broadcasters," tweeted Agnew.

Reacting to his sad demise on Twitter, Charlotte Edwards, captain of the England women's team, said: "Awful news of Christopher Martin Jenkins passing away, true gentleman and fantastic servant to the game of cricket, he will be missed #ripcmj".

ICC mourns passing of Christopher Martin-Jenkins

The International Cricket Council today mourned the passing away of cricket commentator and former president of the MCC Christopher Martin-Jenkins, who died of cancer at the age of 67.

"There are few men in cricket who are known simply by the initials and the fact that Christopher was referred to simply as CMJ around the cricket world reflects his standing in the game. He was a brilliant broadcaster with the BBC¿s Test Match Special as well as a renowned cricket correspondent for the BBC, The Daily Telegraph and The Times," ICC chief executive David Richardson said in an ICC statement.

"Cricket has lost two of its most revered commentators in the last few days with the passing of both CMJ and, last week, of Tony Greig. I know that press boxes around the world will be deeply saddened by the death of two giants of the game and we pass on our condolences to both their families. I, like their colleagues, cricketers and administrators, will miss their wise words and their company."