Cricket: Sylvester Clarke dies at 44

SYLVESTER CLARKE, the former West Indies fast bowler, collapsed and died at his home in Barbados at the weekend.

Clarke, who would have celebrated his 45th birthday later this month, was the third former West Indian Test player to die in the past month. Malcolm Marshall died of cancer in November at the age of 41, while the opener Conrad Hunte died after a heart attack last Friday aged 67.

Clarke played 11 Tests, taking 42 wickets at an average of 27.83 apiece, with best figures of 5 for 126 against India at Bangalore. He also played in England and was instrumental in Surrey's victory in the Benson and Hedges Cup in 1982. He finished that season with 85 Championship wickets at 19.95 runs each.