Image copyright Chris Gayle Foundation

An aspiring British cricketer has died after reportedly being shot by robbers in Trinidad.

Adrian St John, 22, who played for the Chris Gayle Academy in London, is understood to have died on Sunday.

West Indies cricketer Gayle tweeted: "Such sad news to hear. My condolences to his family & friends. Adrian St John was the captain of the academy. #Sigh."

Local media reports suggest Mr St John was attacked after he had stopped his car to pick up someone.

Mr St John was robbed and was shot as he drove away. A 24-year-old man has been arrested, the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian Online reported.

'Talented cricketer'

Mr St John was "a young man any parent would be proud of", his uncle Ian Campbell wrote on Facebook.

Hamlyn George wrote on Facebook: "RIP cousin ... The world has lost a true gent, heaven has gained another angel too early."

While his godfather Anthony Marcelle wrote: "He was a wonderful young man, my handsome Godson Adrian, may you RIP."

Image copyright AFP Image caption West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle, pictured above, said Adrian St John was captain of his academy

Donovan Miller, programme manager for the Chris Gayle Foundation, said: "I'm really finding it hard to come to terms with it, how someone could do something like that to such a lovely person."

He said Mr St John had been one of the first members of the Chris Gayle Academy in London, adding: "He wanted me to support him to go to the Caribbean and to kind of push hard with his cricket."

Adrian Atherton, a coach at the London Schools Cricket Association, who had known Mr St John since he was 10, said he was a "lovely kid".

"I've never known Adrian get angry or get into a fight with anyone - he was a really, really sweet boy," he said.

"He was humble and loved the game of cricket. They were hoping for big things for him, he had improved a lot."

Friends have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Mr St John, who grew up in Kennington, south London, near the Oval cricket ground.

"In utter shock to hear that one of my good friends Adrian has passed away. One of the funniest and nicest people," Tommy Smith tweeted.

Image copyright Chris Gayle Foundation

"Tragic news. A lovely lad and a talented cricketer. Thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP Adrian St John," tweeted Surrey-based Southern Railway, Kenley and Selsdon Cricket Club.

Mr St John graduated from Hertfordshire University, where he also played cricket, in 2014 with a degree in history and philosophy. Vice-chancellor Quintin McKellar said he had been a "credit to the university".

Phil Trayner, chairman of Oxted and Limpsfield Cricket Club, said members at the Surrey club were "deeply saddened by the shocking and tragic news".

"He was fun loving, friendly, cricket mad and always had a kind word for his fellow club members," he wrote on the club's website.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are in contact with authorities following the death of a British national in Trinidad and are ready to provide consular assistance."