A FORMER Notts cricketer has died after losing his battle with cancer.

Carlton Forbes, who played for the team for 14 years, passed away in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, yesterday morning.

He had his partner Jermaine at his bedside and son Conute.

His daughter Emma Johnson, who has just returned from a two-week trip to the country to see him was informed by neighbours.

"He was very weak," said Miss Johnson, 37, of Basford. "I was nursing him for the time I was there.

"It was very sad when I left. I found myself having to say my final goodbyes. I knew it was going to happen but it has still come as a shock."

Mr Forbes, now 72, played in the same Notts side as fellow West Indian and club legend Sir Garry Sobers.

He was a left-arm bowler and batted left handed as well.

He first played for the county in 1959 and went on to take 707 wickets in 245 matches at an average of 25.44 in first class cricket.

He took 100 wickets in three successive seasons in the mid-1960s and topped the team's bowling averages in 1966 and 1967.

A Notts Committee report in 1966 said their bowling attack "rested on his shoulders".

Mr Forbes had eight children and returned to live in his native Jamaica after leaving Notts in 1973.

Miss Johnson said: "I haven't been out to see him a lot. My trip I have just returned from was my first visit in a few years. But we often stayed in touch by phone.

"He loved his cricket.

"I know that he really enjoyed his time at Notts. He moved out there when he finished playing with them, though I remained in England."

Mr Forbes was originally diagnosed with cancer in his bladder. He had that removed and had further surgery before developing three brain tumours. The cancer then spread to his lungs.

marcus.boocock@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk