A village cricket captain collapsed shortly after scoring a career best 154 at Somerset.

Shaun French, 39, batted for most of his side -- Barrington Cricket Club -- innings and was supposed to keep wickets before he collapsed on his way out from the pavilion on Thursday.

Despite efforts by an umpire, a former policeman, and other players to revive the father of five-year-old twin girls, French did not recover from a suspected heart attack.

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Colleagues at the club paid tribute to French, a management accountant, who opened the batting.

Alan Wellman said: "Shaun was a competitive sportsman who enjoyed life. He was a big hitting batsman who had all the shots and he could win a game on his own.

"He was tired when he came into the pavilion but he drank a cup of tea. He had put his pads on to keep wickets when he collapsed."

"We have cancelled all our games until after his funeral next week."