South African cricketer dies due to heart failure

A young South African cricketer has collapsed and died of suspected heart failure while training with his academy side.

22-year old Lukhanya Tsiki died during a practice session in Eastern Cape on Monday (April 18) after he collapsed at the Fort Hare Academy.

The group of players, who were practicing with him, tried to revive him before he was shifted to a hospital. Tsiki passed away later in the day.

Tsiki was an all-rounder who batted left-handed and bowled right-arm medium pace. He was studying a diploma course in Marketing Management at Fort Hare Academy.

"This is shocking news for the entire South African cricketing community," said Haroon Lorgat, Cricket South Africa's chief executive, in a statement. "On behalf of the CSA family I extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his cricketing colleagues.

"We will do everything we can to provide counseling and support to his family as well as the staff and players of the Academy who have understandably been deeply affected by this traumatic event."