Former New Zealand captain Wallace dies aged 91

NAPIER, New Zealand (Reuters) - Former New Zealand cricket captain Merv Wallace has died aged 91, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Saturday.

Wallace, who scored more than 7,000 runs in a 24-year career with Auckland and played 13 tests between 1937 and 1953, died on Friday, NZC said in a statement.

He toured England in 1937 and 1949 and was coach of the team from 1956, when he was involved in New Zealand's first test victory over the West Indies at Eden Park, until 1970.

Wallace scored 17 first-class centuries during his career in which he averaged 44.32. His highest test score was only 66, however, and he averaged just 20.90.

The New Zealand team are wearing black armbands during the third test against England at Napier as a mark of respect.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Ed Osmond)