LONDON, April 2: Sussex all-rounder Umer Rashid has been found dead in Grenada in a drowning tragedy whilst on a pre-season tour, the club announced Tuesday.

The 26-year-old former Middlesex player’s brother Burhan also died in the accident, a club statement said.

“The Club is in a state of shock after hearing of the tragic deaths of Umer Rashid, 26, and his brother Burhan,” Sussex said.

“The two were involved in a drowning accident whilst on a day off in Grenada during a pre-season tour with Northamptonshire and Yorkshire. We have no more details of the accident at this time.

“Umer was a great favourite with both staff and supporters alike and had been with Sussex since 1999.

“He will be sadly missed as a friend and a colleague and his talent, as a cricketer, was recently summed up by Chris Adams (Sussex captain), as follows: ‘Umer is probably the most naturally gifted player on the staff who is capable of playing explosive innings and bowling match-winning spells with his left-arm spin’.”

Rashid had taken one wicket as Sussex beat Northamptonshire over the weekend to reach the final of a triangular tournament also involving Yorkshire.

A former British Universities player, Rashid left Middlesex for Sussex in 1999 and counted many of the staff at Lord’s as his friends.

Southampton-born Rashid, a left-handed batsman and England Under-19 player, made his Middlesex debut in 1995.

His death is the second to hit the sport in the last fortnight following the car crash which killed England player Ben Hollioake in Perth Australia on March 23.—AFP