Former West Indies captain Franz 'Gerry' Alexander, who represented the cricket team in 25 Tests, died at age 82, a relative said.

Alexander's sister-in-law, Betty Barnes, said the former wicketkeeper died at his home in Jamaica's capital of Kingston on Saturday but did not immediately give the cause of death.

Alexander made his debut for the West Indies against England at Leeds in 1957. He represented the West Indies in 25 Tests between 1957 and 1961, scoring 961 runs at an average of 30.03, including a top score of 108 against Australia.

One of his most famous innings was 60 against Australia in the famous tied Test in Brisbane in the 1960-61 series.

Jamaica Sports Minister Olivia Grange said cricket aficionados "can put Gerry Alexander in that class of great men who contributed much to Jamaica and West Indies cricket".

There was grumbling from some West Indies fans when Alexander was first named captain of the squad.

"There were people who thought he shouldn't have been in the team to begin with," Grange said. "However, he was a disciplined man who rose to the challenge and eventually became one of our popular captains and wicketkeepers."

Alexander is survived by two children.