Ex-Scotland cricket captain Con De Lange dies aged 38

Former Scotland cricket captain Con De Lange has died aged 38.

Con had been battling brain cancer since 2017, after being diagnosed with the disease during time off at the end of the British summer.

Cricket Scotland confirmed Con passed away on Thursday evening, saying he battled hard to fight the disease but wasn’t able to overcome the tumour growing in his brain.

The organisation paid tribute to him in a moving Facebook post, describing him as “a great servant to Scotland and to the game of cricket”.

“Con was not only a great cricketer and coach but more importantly a husband, father and son and our thoughts are with his family at this time,” the statement read.

Tributes are already pouring in with cricketers around the world paying their respects to their former competitor and mate.

“In a reflective mood remembering one of the nicest blokes I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Raising a glass to our friend Con de Lange,” Australian bowler Jason Gillespie wrote on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/dizzy259/status/1119355753058455552

South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs wrote: “So so sad to hear of the passing of con de lange.lovely cricketer but what a lovely guy!! Rest well bud,you touched a lot of people lives! RIP.”

https://twitter.com/hershybru/status/1119298094938689536

During his celebrated career Con captained Scotland in their historic first ever 50-over victory over an ICC Full Member in May 2017, and was also vice-captain of the Scottish mens squad.

His diagnosis with brain cancer came as a shock to those in the cricketing world, but by all accounts the all-rounder fought hard to against the disease.

In a more detailed statement on its website, Cricket Scotland described the treatment Con undertook in his effort to beat the cancer and paid tribute to his family who had worked hard over the past year to raise money for a cure for brain cancer.

“Through surgery, long doses of chemotherapy and endless medical appointments, Con retained his strength and his belief in the doctors and nurses at Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow,” the statement read.

“Con’s family and friends and the entire cricketing community in Scotland have worked hard to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity with Con’s family and friends raising over £10,000 for the cause. Cricket Scotland’s #Beanies4BrainTumours campaign around the start of the cricket season has raised upwards of £3,000 to date.”

Con is survived by his wife Claire and their two children, Daisy and Rory.

Do you have a message of condolence for Con’s family? Do you know anyone who’s had brain cancer?