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Cape Town - According to the Derby Telegraph's website team-mates of South African cricketer David Smyth, who died suddenly of cancer, will form a guard of honour with their bats at his funeral today.
Smyth, 28, was an all-rounder for Stainsby Hall Cricket Club in Derbyshire, playing 134 league and cup games for Stainsby's first team in Division One of the County League over six years. He scored 2 909 runs at an average of 27.7 and took 256 wickets at an average of 19.71.
In May he was diagnosed with cancer in his liver, brain and lungs.
He died weeks later after suffering from a heart attack.
David's brother Matthew, said the family were devastated.
"David was one of the fittest people I know and a real fighter. I know that if he had been given the chance to battle the cancer he would have done.
"It's been a terrible shock for everyone. People can't believe what's happened.
Stainsby club chairperson John Wood said the players from the club would attend the funeral in their whites.
"David was a close friend and one of the best all-rounders we have ever had. He could have played at higher level cricket but he always said he wanted to stay here.
"It's been a massive shock so the players are keen to be at the funeral in their whites as a mark of respect."
The family have asked mourners not to wear black "because David would think it morbid".
Smyth, 28, was an all-rounder for Stainsby Hall Cricket Club in Derbyshire, playing 134 league and cup games for Stainsby's first team in Division One of the County League over six years. He scored 2 909 runs at an average of 27.7 and took 256 wickets at an average of 19.71.
In May he was diagnosed with cancer in his liver, brain and lungs.
He died weeks later after suffering from a heart attack.
David's brother Matthew, said the family were devastated.
"David was one of the fittest people I know and a real fighter. I know that if he had been given the chance to battle the cancer he would have done.
"It's been a terrible shock for everyone. People can't believe what's happened.
Stainsby club chairperson John Wood said the players from the club would attend the funeral in their whites.
"David was a close friend and one of the best all-rounders we have ever had. He could have played at higher level cricket but he always said he wanted to stay here.
"It's been a massive shock so the players are keen to be at the funeral in their whites as a mark of respect."
The family have asked mourners not to wear black "because David would think it morbid".
