A club cricketer whose finest hour with the ball was hailed by a legend of the game has died.

Steve Coley was batting for Teston Cricket Club at Barham Court near Maidstone on Sunday when he began feeling unwell.

Suspecting indigestion, he returned to his home in nearby Wateringbury for medication, but moments later he collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack.

His partner Rachel Pearson said the 50-year-old sales director had spent his last hours doing something he loved.

“It was his life, the cricket,” she said.

“He was just a fantastic, easy-going person who would do anything for anybody. He will be much missed by everyone, people thought so highly of him.”

Mr Coley, who had a step-son, daughter and three-month-old grand-daughter, grew up near to Nettlestead and attended the Astor of Hever School in Maidstone.

His finest hour on the cricket pitch came in 2015 when he took four wickets in one over for Teston, leaving a Lashings XI full of former internationals on 87-7.

Among his victims that day were former West Indian international Tino Best and one-time England bowler Phil DeFreitas.

Henry Blofeld, an icon for his broadcasting on the BBC’s Test Match Special, commentated during the match, which was staged to celebrate the opening of the club’s new pavilion.

Blofeld described how the Teston captain had “sliced through” the opposition’s middle order before being named man of the match.

Club chairman Peter Erlam promised Mr Coley’s memory will be kept alive at Teston.

He said: “Steve went in to bat for us at No.3 but felt unwell during his innings, complaining of indigestion. He walked off the pitch and said he would drive home to get his medication.

“Club members have struggled all this week to come to terms with what’s happened. He was a much-loved friend and a great bloke.

“Steve’s untimely and tragic death occurred exactly a week after he played in an intra-club match involving Teston Rifles, who until 10 years ago used to tour in Somerset each May.

“It was great to see him really enjoying himself among guys who hadn’t played together for over a decade.”

Ms Pearson said the family were grateful her partner of 26 years had a chance to spend time with grand-daughter Dottie before he died.

Mr Coley's funeral is due to take place on October 1 at 1.15pm. His family are inviting people to share memories and consider donating to the cricket club at a page set up online in his memory .

His family hope money raised can be used to encourage more young people to take up the sport he loved so much.

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