SA cricketer endures DVT scare

South African cricketer Pite van Biljon has suffered a bout of deep vein thrombosis.

South African cricketer Pite van Biljon has suffered a bout of deep vein thrombosis.

Van Biljon, who was key to the tail-end of the Knights' first-class campaign and entire T20 season this year, developed a blood clot during a flight from Johannesburg to the United Kingdom.

"I played on the Saturday and everything was fine. But on the Sunday my calf was a bit stiff. They said it, playing, might not be for six months – and I could not fly," the <i>Leicester Mercury</i> quoted van Biljon as saying.

"My wife was shocked and my parents were very worried because at that stage the news was all bad. On the way back, I had a four-hour flight to Johannesburg and then a four-hour drive home and I was sitting all the time."

The 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman's talents were particularly evident during the Knights' comfortable seven-wicket triumph over the Titans in Centurion in January.

The hard-hitting right-hander struck five fours and three sixes en route to an entertaining 61 not out off just 41 deliveries, during a key 120-run partnership alongside ODI and Test batsman Dean Elgar.