A gifted Bradford cricketer died suddenly during a match after scoring 98 runs, tragically echoing the death of his own father 18 years before.

The family, friends and team-mates of Richard Smith, 29, were "devastated and shocked" at his death during a match between Queensbury and Bridgeholme cricket clubs on Saturday afternoon.

He had scored 98 not out for Queensbury before leaving the field with chest pains and sickness.

His widow Vicky, 23, of Wharncliffe Drive, Eccleshill, whom he married only last September, and mother Josephine, of Queensbury, were horrified that Mr Smith died in similar circumstances to his father David who collapsed and died of a heart attack when he was 47 while bowling for Crossflatts.

Mrs Smith said that she had been told by the Coroner's office her husband had died from a thrombosis to the heart, which is a genetic condition.

Mr Smith's best friend James Elsworth tried to resuscitate him after Karen Moore, a spectator, found him lying on the clubhouse floor.

Club captain and close friend Phil Sharples said today: "He had left the field feeling unwell, but it was very warm so we thought he had heat-stroke.

"He came out later to field but he obviously wasn't right so I told him to leave the field.

"We got a substitute fielder and kept an eye on him throughout the match, but about 20 overs from the end a lady came rushing out and told us he had collapsed. He never regained consciousness."

Mr Smith, a conference centre manager for Yorkshire Water, was taken to Calderdale Royal Infirmary but was pronounced dead when he arrived.

He had played for the team for about eight years and was also a member of Eccleshill-based Victoria Rangers Rugby Club.

Known as "RD" - his middle name was David - to differentiate from a team member also called Richard Smith, he held the David Smith Batting Trophy for best batting average last year.

The trophy was named after his father.

Mr Sharples added: "It was terrible. Richard was a friend to many, one of the lads, a good all-rounder and a lovely man.

"He was great to be around and everyone in the league will miss him.

"This has no sense of reason to it - he and Vicky only recently got married.

"I can't express my sorrow enough."

Queensbury Cricket Club cancelled its Sunday match.

Bridgeholme Cricket Club members, based at Eastwood in Todmorden where the tragedy happened, played their Sunday fixture wearing black armbands.

All Trinity Insurance Halifax League matches this weekend will hold a minute's silence as a mark of respect to Mr Smith.