North West all-rounder Lavine dies of a heart attack

Mark Lavine, the 28-year-old Barbadian-born North West all-rounder, died suddenly after suffering a heart attack while playing Birmingham League cricket on Saturday.

A cousin of Gordon Greenidge, Lavine made his first-class debut for Barbados in 1992/93 and later that season toured South Africa with Barbados. He was offered a three-month club contract at the end of the tour and eventually settled in South Africa, marrying Patricia in Johannesburg last year.

He became a South African citizen and hoped eventually to be selected for his adopted country.

According to Vasbert Drakes, another Bajan who has made an impact on South African cricket with Border, Lavine had achieved the consistency of performance which could have brought him success at international level.

In nine SuperSport Series matches last summer Lavine scored 477 runs at 29.81, including a first-class highest score of 113 against Border, and took 30 wickets. Including three five-wicket returns, at 33.61.

"We were extremely shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Mark Lavine, who was one of the real stars of South African provincial cricket," said United Cricket Board president Percy Sonn on Sunday.