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Tony Pigott, the former Sussex seamer who postponed his wedding to make his lone Test appearance for England, has died aged 67 following a heart attack.

With injuries blighting the England camp in New Zealand in early 1984, Pigott, playing provincial cricket in Wellington at the time, was summoned to Christchurch for his Test debut, which meant delaying his marriage ceremony. England lost by an innings inside 12 hours of play but Pigott took a handy two for 75 with his capable bowling, which earned him 672 first-class dismissals for Sussex between 1978 and 1994.

Pigott ended his career with a brief stint at Surrey before returning to Sussex as chief executive and he was widely credited with instilling the culture that helped them win the 2003 County Championship crown, even though he had departed four years earlier, resigning for personal reasons.

Adams, who captained Sussex to the 2003 title, said on the club's website: "Tony was one of, if not, the biggest positive transformative influences in the history of the club. It's an incredibly sad day for his family, the Sussex family and indeed the broader family of cricket. Personally, Tony played an enormous part in moulding my life for the better and was the number one reason I signed for Sussex in 1998.

"A really loveable, glass half full character who will be missed dearly by many. Thank you 'Lester' for everything you did for Sussex CCC, the 2003 Championship in my eyes will always be dedicated to you and the brave few who stood up and were counted in 1997."

Former umpire and Sussex wicket-keeper Ian Gould said: "It's terribly sad. Lester was one of the world's great characters."

During his time leading Sussex, Pigott oversaw major developments at Hove - including its transformation into the first cricket venue in the UK to install floodlights - and was widely praised for the positive environment he fostered at the club.

After departing in 1999, he remained deeply involved in the sport, taking on several positions across the game, among them serving as a pitch inspector and later as a match referee.

One of the fans wrote: "RIP Tony, one of the finest players I grew up watching and one of the nicest guys I met round Hove."

Another commented: "Stepped up to the plate manfully for England when required at short notice in New Zealand. RIP Tony."