Acclaimed New Zealand sportsman Eric Tindill, a double international who was the world's oldest surviving Test cricketer and an All Black, has died aged 99, a family spokesman said today.

As well as playing cricket and rugby at Test level, Tindill also achieved the unique distinction of being the only person to umpire a Test cricket match and referee a rugby Test.

He died in his home town of Nelson.

Tindill, a wicketkeeper, became the world's oldest surviving Test cricketer last year with the passing of Englishman Francis McKinnon, who lived to 98.

He played five Tests for New Zealand and had the honour of catching Sir Don Bradman at Adelaide in 1937-38, in the only match the Australian batting great played against New Zealand.