Namibian international cricketer Raymond van Schoor suffers stroke on field

Raymond van Schoor is one of the youngest players to represent Namibia

Namibian batsman Raymond van Schoor was hospitalized on Sunday after he collapsed during a match against Free State. According to initial reports, he went into coma but Cricket Namibia later confirmed that the cricketer had suffered a stroke and was in ICU. During the match van Schoor retired hurt and was immediately hospitalized. After scans were done, it was confirmed that he had suffered a stroke.

Chairman of Cricket Namibia, Francois Erasmus told Cricinfo that due to some complications, he was shifted to ICU. He said, “Raymond suffered a stroke on Sunday whilst playing for Namibia in the CSA competition against Free State. There were some complications last night as a result of which he was transferred to ICU.

“His condition is serious but he is not in a coma. His condition is being monitored closely. The next 48 hours will be vital and we can only but pray that his health will improve significantly over the next few days.

Schoor sipped water, then stumbled over into teammate’s arms

The CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge match was played in Windhoek. The 25-year-old came to bat for Namibia in the 35th over of their innings and scored 15 runs from 16 balls. His teammate Nicolaas Scholtz said that van Schoor had complained of dizziness and asked for water. Scholtz said, “He took a sip or two and the next moment he stumbled over. I caught him in my arms."

Donovan Zealand, CEO of Cricket Namibia said that when van Schoor retired hurt, others felt the hot weather conditions in Windhoek had caused it. Zealand said, “[He was taken] straightaway to the hospital. He was admitted and then he went for scans and yesterday he was admitted in the ICU because there was some swelling on the brain.

“It was hot and we all assumed it was because of dehydration and the heat. Therefore, we rushed him straight to the hospital because we didn't know what was the case. It was only after they'd done the scans that they realised he suffered a mild stroke in the brain.”

Previously the 25-year-old was captain of Namibia’s Under-15 team. One of the youngest players to represent Namibia, Van Schoor played for the team in Intercontinental Cup in 2007-08 season. Namibia won Sunday’s match against Free State with five wickets remaining.