Cricket captain collapses and dies during match at Balmoral

Kenneth MacLeod, who suffered from cardiomyopathy, fell ill during a game against Crathie at Balmoral on Saturday.

The Queen was staying on the estate with Prince Philip over the bank holiday weekend.

Mr MacLeod collapsed suddenly after opening the batting for Inverurie Cricket Club in the second innings of the match. Other players ran to help him, but he died despite their best efforts.

The game was abandoned following the tragedy.

Teammates today paid tribute to the sportsman who had just taken on the role of captain for the club this year.

Andrew Stalker, secretary of Inverurie Cricket Club, said: “Kenneth was a true gentleman, a great captain and a big part of the club.

“Ourselves and Crathie are still in shock at what happened and so is the wider cricket community.”

Mr MacLeod, who was believed to be in his 50s, moved up to the Aberdeenshire area from Paisley five years ago. He initially thought he would concentrate more on golf, but his love for cricket soon drew him back to the game.

The former president of Kelburne Cricket Club joined the team in Inverurie for the 2012 season.

An Aberdeenshire Cricket Associations spokesman said: “It is with sadness that we announce the death of Kenneth MacLeod during the match against Crathie on Saturday 28th May 2016. Our sincere condolences are with Kenny’s family and friends.

“He was an uncomplicated cricketer - see the ball and hit it straight, as hard as possible, and he certainly did that better than most. Off the field he was the best of company, always convivial and at the heart of the club socially as well as competitively.

“He took on the captaincy for the 2016 season and the team was undefeated going into the match against Crathie on the 28th of May.

“After a typically forthright innings, Kenny was taken ill with complications from his cardiomyopathy, as he left the field of play. It was of great comfort to his family to know that he received immediate professional attention and was given the best chance of survival.

“Kenny will be sadly missed.”

Mr Macleod was a former scout leader and recently attended the 75th anniversary celebration of Paisley’s 33rd Gleniffer Scout Group at Lapwing Lodge.

He worked as an operations director for Barratt Homes.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh had travelled to Balmoral Estate for a short break and were believed to have stayed at Craigowan Lodge during the bank holiday weekend.

Balmoral Castle is still open to tourists for the summer season.

Prince Philip had pulled out of plans to attend the Battle of Jutland commemorations after doctors advised him against travelling to Orkney.

The 94-year-old spent time recovering from his illness at Balmoral before returning to London with the Queen on Tuesday afternoon.

Princess Anne represented the Royal family at the ceremony which was held to mark the 100th anniversary of the World War One naval battle.

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