THE grieving father of a talented Basingstoke cricketer who died of Covid-19 has urged people to stay a home, after his son lost his life to the virus aged just 43.

Leon Nurse said he is “devastated” after his son Lee died at Basingstoke hospital on Thursday morning, having been admitted nearly two weeks prior.

The father-of-one played cricket for Basingstoke and North Hants Cricket Club and Berkshire County Cricket Club, and was described by his father as “the best person in the world”.

Speaking to the Gazette, Leon, who lives in Basingstoke with his wife Christine, said his son was “fit and healthy” before catching the virus.

The 68-year-old said: “He got ill on a Monday and he laid in bed for a week and then all of a sudden deteriorated and we called an ambulance.”

Lee was eventually admitted to Basingstoke hospital on Friday, March 27 when he was sedated.

Leon didn’t get a chance to see his son before he died, because he had been in hospital himself with pneumonia, and was discharged on the same day Lee was admitted.

He said: “They told us he was getting better and they were reducing his oxygen, then Thursday morning they said he’s deteriorated. I couldn’t go to see him because I was ill as well.”

Leon said Lee’s 18-year-old son Rilee went to be with his father in hospital and was with him when he died, holding his hand.

He hopes that Lee’s death will be a reminder to people of the importance of following the government guidelines to stop the spread of Covid-19, and said: “If people carry on going out this will never be over. People have to take heed of the government’s advice.

“You hear of all these people dying but you never think it will happen to you and when it does it’s devastating. It hurts. The worst thing was I couldn’t see him in person.”

Leon, whose other son Dean also plays cricket, said he was proud of all the tributes that have come flooding in for Lee since his death, adding: “They are all tear jerkers.”

They include one from fellow English cricketer Shaun Udal, also from Basingstoke, who was a member of England’s Test team, who said: “Can’t believe the news of Lee Nurse the little Basingstoke CC legend has passed away, always had time for him and that smile of his, he’ll be missed.”