Namibian cricket is reeling after the death of one of their most promising young players, Raymond van Schoor, aged 25.
Van Schoor suffered a stroke while batting against Free State in Windhoek last Sunday in a provincial one-day challenge match. He died on 20 November.
‘It is a terrible tragedy for anybody to die at such a young age,’ said CSA’s Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, ‘On behalf of the CSA family I extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his cricketing colleagues.’
He had represented Nambia since the age of 17. The wicketkeeper-batsman recently played the Intercontinental Cup match against Ireland and was an integral part of Namibia’s ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier campaign earlier this year. In 92 first-class matches, he scored over 4 000 runs with five centuries and 20 half-centuries.
Raymond was the son of Melt van Schoor, who has played five One-Day Internationals for Namibia
All cricketers involved in CSA Provincial today wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence before the start of play as a mark of respect as well as to show solidarity with their Namibian colleagues.
News of his death brought an outpouring of sympathy and condolences from local and international cricketers, including AB de Villiers and Vernon Philander
Sad news for the cricket family losing Raymond Van Schoor. My thoughts and prayers are with you family, friends and Namibian cricket. #RIP
— Vernon Philander (@VDP_24) November 21, 2015
Sad news about Raymond van Schoor! Thoughts and prayers with family, friends and teammates. — AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 21, 2015
Condolences to the Van Schoor family on the passing of Raymond. What an absolute gentleman and top… https://t.co/3c4ePPcdOo — Robin John Peterson (@robbie13flair) November 21, 2015
Really sad news about Raymond Van Schoor. The cricketing world mourns yet another loss to our wonderful game. Thoughts with his family. — Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) November 21, 2015
Devastated to hear the tragic news about Raymond Van Schoor! Thoughts are with his friends and family at this time! #RIP
— Kevin O’Brien (@KevinOBrien113) November 20, 2015
