Namibian cricketer Raymond van Schoor dies from on-field stroke
Five days after collapsing on the field and suffering a stroke, Namibian wicketkeeper Raymond van Schoor passed away on Friday, reports cricket.com.au. The 25-year-old played more than 200 times for his country and scored over 8,000 runs across all formats.
Van Schoor, who made his debut for Namibia at the age of 17, was rushed to a local hospital on Sunday after he collapsed during Namibia’s five-wicket win against Free State in a South African domestic game. Although initially believed to be dehydration, scans soon revealed that he suffered a stroke.
Cricket Namibia president Richard Frankle confirmed that the promising wicketkeeper batsman had passed away on Friday.
"It is with deep regret and sorrow that I announce the passing of Raymond van Schoor at 19h17 Namibian time on Friday the 20th November 2015,” said Frankle. "On behalf of Cricket Namibia, I express my most sincere condolences to the entire Van Schoor and La Cock families.
"Raymond was a tremendous asset to Cricket Namibia and the National Cricket Team. He was taken far too early from us. We however accept that Almighty God needed him to represent the Heavenly Angels! May his soul rest in peace!”
Van Schoor comes from a cricketing family, his brother Danie van Schoor has represented Namibia and so did his father Melt, who took part in the 2003 World Cup.
An ever-present in the Namibian side since making his debut in 2007 as a teenager, Van Schoor took part in Namibia’s ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier campaign earlier this year. The 25-year-old played in 92 first-class matches and scored over 4,000 runs including five centuries.
However, he was at his best in the shorter formats and his finest hour as a batsman came in the ICC World T20 Qualifier in 2012, when he was named Player of the Tournament after topping the averages (54) and finishing as one of only five batsmen to score over 300 runs.
He won three Man of the Match awards in the tournament (against USA, Uganda and Italy) and finished as the leading run scorer in the group stages with 323 runs. He helped his side go on a seven-game winning streak, before they eventually lost to Afghanistan and Ireland in the knockout stage.
His performances in the tournament and throughout the year earned him the Namibian Cricketer of the Year award in 2012. He aslo captained Namibia in 40 matches
Sad news about Raymond van Schoor! Thoughts and prayers with family, friends and teammates.
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 21, 2015
So sad. Lovely happy young man. Super bat for the national team. Taken too young. May you rest in peace Raymond https://t.co/vW2ID5NJDv
— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien) November 20, 2015
the cricketing world has lost a true soldier and ambassador for the game. Show'em how it's done up there. #RIPRay pic.twitter.com/vtP2e45Ry9
— Stephen Baard (@StephenBaard) November 21, 2015