Former Irish cricket chief dies in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mar 21 (Reuters) Former Irish Cricket Union chairman Bob Kerr died today while in Jamaica with Ireland closing in on World Cup Super Eights qualification. He was 68.

Kerr was one of the most prominent officials in Irish cricket and has died while Ireland entered the most exciting period in their history, during their first World Cup.

They helped eliminate former champions Pakistan on Saturday with a three-wicket win and, with Pakistan heading for victory over Zimbabwe, heading for the second-stage Super Eights of the event.

''The details are a bit vague at the moment because he was staying with supporters in Ocho Rios,'' Ireland team manager Roy Torrens told Reuters.

''We have reason to believe that he had a heart attack at 4am. We believe he died on the scene at the hotel.'' He was staying with his wife, Hope.

Kerr, from County Fermanagh, was chairman of the Irish Cricket Union, president of the ICU in 2004 and current chairman of Northwest Cricket Union since 2001.

Reuters DH VP0250