operation to remove what was believed to be a cancerous tumour earlier this week.

Doctors at the Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, on Monday surgically removed one of the former cricketer's kidneys and found it to contain what was described as a golf ball sized tumour.

The procedure was said to have proven successful in that the organ had been removed without complication and that no further spread of the disease had been detected beyond the kidney.

Physicians are still waiting for further lab analysis before giving the all clear, but Parfitt's mother, Peggy, said that her son was doing quite well considering the ordeal.

"Everything is coming along very well and he's looking good,'' she explained.

"He hasn't been able to eat a meal yet, but he's looking well and the doctors are pleased with the progress he's making.

"The kidney has been sent off to be analysed and it will take a couple of days to get the results. Hopefully everything will work out okay, but we're waiting for them to come back to us after all the tests.'' "We just thank God it was not in the colon and just the kidney. It (tumour) was the size of the palm of my hand.'' Parfitt, nicknamed Tuppence, was unavailable for comment as doctors advised that he stay in bed as much as possible for the time being.

The famed bowler, noted for a vicious leg-cutter, faces an estimated two months' convalesce before returning to his post as development officer for the north for the Scottish Cricket Union.

"We're anticipating him being back on the job in a few months,'' said a spokeswoman at the SCU offices in Edinburgh. "Everything sounds positive at the moment, so hopefully that's good news.'' Parfitt's mother, meanwhile, added that her son's attitude remained resolute in the thought that he would make a complete recovery.

"His spirits are very good, but he's not really able to get up and move around as he would like,'' she said. "But, as I mentioned, he's looking good and I know once he can start eating he'll be alright, because he likes a good meal. He's had needles and tubes stuck in everywhere, his hands, between his fingers, his thighs, so with them all gone he's much better.'' It was not known when Parfitt would be released from the hospital.

The left-arm slow bowler was long the nemesis of Somerset batsmen during a sterling Cup Match career spanning two decades that saw him seize a record 115 wickets and return best ever figures of 9-47 in 1976.

Parfitt has lived in Arbroath, Scotland for several years, first going over as a professional player for Arbroath Cricket Club, where he again performed at a premier level for several years before moving into coaching.

CRICKET CRI