The Hindu : A tragic end

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 19, 2003

Sport

Sport - Cricket

A tragic end

London June 18. A talented batsman collapsed and died during a league cricket game, 18 years after his father suffered the same fate while bowling in a match.

The 29-year-old Richard Smith had just been dismissed for 98 for his West Yorkshire club when he was found dead in the pavilion after suffering a heart attack.

It was thought that he may have had a similar heart condition to his father, David who died in 1985 at the age of 47, after collapsing on the field while bowling for his team, Crossflats, in a match at Silsden.

Richard, who played for Queensbury Cricket Club, died on Saturday during a Trinity Insurance Halifax League match at Bridgeholme Cricket Club in Eastwood.

Smith, a hard-hitting left-handed batsman who had smashed eight 6s and nine 4s in his innings, was found dead in the clubhouse.

The batsman, who worked as a chef for Yorkshire Water, had just telephoned his wife Victoria, 23, to tell her that he was feeling unwell.

Mrs Smith said: ``He was gutted because he had just got out for 98 and he said he was having chest pains and his arm was aching.

``He had just been sick after having a fizzy drink and I thought it might just be exhaustion from the cricket. I told him he needed some water. That was the last time I spoke to him.

"What has happened is ironic because the same thing happened to his father, of whom he was very proud. Last season Richard won a trophy for batting which was named in his father's memory. It was the first time he had won it and now this has happened,'' she said.

Philip Sharples, the Queensbury captain, and James Elsworth, Smith's close friend, tried to resuscitate him, but he was declared dead on arrival at hospital. The match was abandoned.

PTI

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