Hobart-born Keith Bradshaw dies, aged 58, after illness battle

Bradshaw, who was 58, played 25 first-class and nine List A games for Tasmania, boasting two centuries in the longer format, before retiring from cricket to complete his UTAS study.

He then became one of the game's most storied administrators, named the first non-English chief executive of the Marylebone Cricket Club in England before coming back to Australia to take up the same role in South Australia.

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Bradshaw developed the pink ball at the MCC before overseeing the first day-night Test match in history at the Adelaide Oval during his almost decade-long chief executive stint, having taken on the role in November 2011.

Cricket Tasmania chairman Andrew Gaggin was one of many to pay tribute.

"I had the privilege of knowing Keith for over 40 years as a fellow student, opponent and in recent times, as an administrator," he said.

"It would be hard to find anyone in Australian cricket more universally respected and admired.

"Becoming the first non-Englishman to hold the position of CEO at the Marylebone Cricket Club, his foresight in revolutionising the Adelaide Oval, together with the now customary day-night Test are just some of his outstanding legacies.

"He will be missed for his astuteness, calm persona, values, intelligence and overall just being a great bloke."

He leaves behind fiancé Helen, children Juliet, Eliza, Donald and Jack and son-in-law Patrick.