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Shock as South African paceman Masimula dies suddenly
Mike Vimpany - 21 April 2002
South African cricketer Walter Masimula, who helped bowl Ventnor to an unbeaten Hampshire League championship last summer, has died suddenly.
Masimula, 26, returned from his native Alexandra, near Johannesburg, late last week to join Surrey Championship side Brook. He is understood to have suffered a heart attack and died shortly after arriving in London.
Paceman Masimula, who took 23 wickets for Ventnor last season, was the first black South African from the Townships to play at provincial level. He came into the spotlight in 1999 when he played for a combined Gauteng/Northerns side against England at Centurion Park.
Masimula, whose lightning fast speed earned him the nickname Black Express, went on to make 18 First Class appearances for Gauteng.
Former Hampshire Cricket Development Officer Mark Garaway, who played alongside Masimula at Ventnor last season, was "devastated" to hear about his former team-mate's death.
"Walter was as fit as any cricketer I have played with. He was a wonderful asset to Ventnor, putting hundreds of man hours into coaching the youngsters. He was a super guy and enormously liked by everyone."
© SPCL / Mike Vimpany
| Teams | England, South Africa. |
| Players/Umpires | Walter Masimula. |
| Tournaments | Southern Electric Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |