Veteran cricket journalist and author Trevor Chesterfield died on Wednesday in Sri Lanka, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.
He was 75 years old.
A New Zealander by birth, Chesterfield played in his youth and later became a first-class umpire.
A great traveller, he spent much of his career in South Africa, and was living in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, at the time of his death where he had been staying and working for several years.
A regular contributor to various publications and websites across the world, he was also the author of several books, including the biography of South Africa fast bowler Fanie de Villiers and South Africa’s Cricket Captains: From Melville to Wessels, according to Cricinfo.
He covered the Cricket World Cup this year.
ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: “Trevor was a true lover of the game and a fine writer for more than 50 years. I knew him from his time in South Africa and he was always a fair, balanced and fearless journalist with strong views on the game, underpinned by a genuine desire to see cricket continue to flourish.
“With cricket being his passion, it was fitting for him to have witnessed a splendid World Cup through to the end. Indeed, I met him during the event in Colombo and it is a shock to hear about his passing.”
Lorgat sent his condolences and those of the ICC to Chesterfield’s family and friends around the world, and said his well-considered views and vast cricketing experience will be missed.
Cricinfo reported Chesterfield was present at almost all the World Cup matches held in Sri Lanka last month and appeared in reasonable health, though he had many long-standing medical issues.
A couple of days before his death, he went to a talk show and complained of the “unbearable cold in the TV studio”, according to the website.
On Wednesday morning he fell off his bed while asleep and was taken to the hospital in Moratuwa, but is believed to have died on the way. — Sapa