Dunedin cricketer dies during match

The sudden death occurred about 4pm at the Sunnyvale Sports Centre, Green Island. Photo / Supplied

A cricketer died after suffering a medical event during a match in Dunedin yesterday afternoon.

The sudden death occurred about 4pm at the Sunnyvale Sports Centre, Main South Road, Green Island, and was attended by St John Ambulance and police.

The man was a member of the Green Island Cricket Club's Second Grade team, club president John Moyle said.

He was a family man and had played for the club for five or six seasons.

Moyle, speaking soon after the death, said the medical event occurred during the match at the club's home ground.

"The team are in shock."

It is understood that he was walking away having completed bowling an over when he collapsed.

Some members of the team had medical backgrounds and a defibrillator kept in the club house was used but the player could not be revived.

He is understood to be 33, married with a young child, Otago Cricket Operations manager Tim O'Sullivan said.

He is of Indian ethnicity and played in a team made up predominantly of Indian players.

The club will be required to complete an incident report but New Zealand Cricket's manager of public affairs Richard Boock said there was no indication it was a sports mishap.

"Early indications are that the player has had a heart attack. It is tragic. Everyone is shattered, both at the club and Otago Cricket. Our hearts go out to his family."

St John Ambulance confirmed that they attended the incident with two vehicles.

Green Island is a five-time National Club Champion and current Dunedin champion.

It was established in 1930 and its website describes it as having a warm, family vibe.

The club was home to several Black Caps including Glenn Turner, Hamish Rutherford and Brian McKechnie, who faced the infamous underarm bowl in a one-day international against Australia in 1981.