The former England cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has been diagnosed with cancer. Boycott today announced that he had pulled out of a commentating job for England's fourth Test against India at The AMP Oval tomorrow.

In a statement, the Yorkshireman said: "Tests were made on a lump which was removed from my neck in hospital last Friday, and today I was informed that the tests revealed the existence of cancerous tissue.

"Further tests will now be taken to determine the extent and possible treatment. I am sad to be missing the Oval Test and I wished to explain my sudden withdrawal from commentating."

Boycott, 61, played in 108 Test matches for England, scoring over 8,000 runs at an average of a shade under 48. Always a great accumulator of runs, he played for England over a 17-year period and his native Yorkshire for 24. He later embarked on a career as a cricket broadcaster and coach.

The president of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Robin Smith, expressed his sympathy.

"I'm desperately sorry to hear this news," Smith said. "I'm sure every Yorkshire member and follower would send him their best wishes for him to make a full recovery from this illness. He is definitely one of Yorkshire's all-time great players.

"He was a magnificent batsman and it was great to see him alongside Raymond Illingworth, Brian Close and Fred Trueman just a few weeks ago at the opening of our new stand at Headingley. He seemed in very good form then. He was in good spirits, so this news is quite a shock to everybody at Yorkshire."

Once dropped by England for slow scoring following his highest Test innings of 246 not out, Boycott probably reached the high point of his Test career with his 100th first-class century against Australia at his home ground, Headingley, in 1977.

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