Septuagenarian bowler, nearing 3,000 wickets, felled by ball

London, June 14 (IANS) A 71-year-old bowler in Britain, who had set himself a mammoth target of bagging 3,000 wickets, died 101 short of his target after being hit by a cricket ball.

A batsman whacked the ball which hit the elderly cricketer in the head later causing his death. Players battled in vain to revive David Wilcockson after he slumped on the pitch unconscious, The Sun reported.

The cricketer was airlifted to hospital where he clung to life for 13 days. But finally, he died in a coma Wednesday night leaving fellow players of his side shattered.

The retired insurance salesman was a stalwart of Old Dorkinians cricket club, based in Dorking, Surrey.

Team-mate Andy Leopold said of the horrific incident as Old Dorkinians played Surrey rivals Grafham: "It was a wet outfield so the wicket was quite sticky. Dave bowled, the batsman ran down the pitch and middled it towards him. It went straight into his head and he went down."

David played 1,678 matches -- taking 2,899 wickets and 160 catches.