NFR: More bad news

[Jambo]

Sad news from the world of cricket, Surrey's Tom Maynard has been killed in a car crash, aged 23.  I'm sure he was on Cricket AM on saturday!

[domprague]

That's awful. He looked a talent and 23 is so young. Very sad.

[Gozorich]

Apparently he was struck by a District Line train at Wimbledon Station  R.I.P.

[Burt]

Oh is that why it has been suspended? The announcement said points failure at Putney Bridge.

[Burt]

Something a bit weird about this.

From the Beeb website:

Cricketer Tom Maynard dies after being hit by London Underground train

Surrey cricketer Tom Maynard has died after being struck by a London Underground train, it has been confirmed.

The batsman, 23, from Cardiff, played for his county in the t20 game against Kent on Sunday.

The incident involving a District Line train happened at Wimbledon station on Monday. Police said a man matching his description earlier made off on foot after being stopped in a Mercedes car. It is thought Maynard may have been trying to escape police shortly before his death. Officers tried to pull over a black Mercedes, which was being driven "erratically", an hour before Maynard's body was found on the tracks. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "At approx 04:15 BST on Monday, 18 June, officers stopped a vehicle after it was seen being driven erratically in Arthur Road, SW19. "The male driver of the vehicle - a black Mercedes C250 - made off on foot. Officers were unable to locate the man. At approximately 05:10 BST the body of a man fitting the same description was found on tracks near Wimbledon Park station."

London Ambulance Service medics were called but Maynard was pronounced dead at the scene.

British Transport Police (BTP) said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

In a statement, Surrey said Maynard was "an incredibly talented young batsman".

Maynard, who came through the ranks at Glamorgan, was considered a rising star in the game and earned himself a place on the England Lions tour to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the start of this year. He moved to The Oval at the start of last season following his father Matthew's departure from the Welsh county in 2010 after claiming his position had become "untenable". Surrey added: "His future potential was unlimited, with experts both inside and outside the club predicting he would soon follow in the footsteps of his father Matthew by graduating to full England honours."

Chairman Richard Thompson said: "Our thoughts at this awful time are with Tom's family and friends and all those that were close to him.
"Tom Maynard was a prodigiously talented young batsman who had made an incredible start to his career and was clearly destined for far greater things. The impact Tom made in such a short period of time for Surrey CCC spoke for itself. There is a profound sense of loss at the passing of Tom. To lose anybody at such a young age is an utterly senseless tragedy."

ECB chairman Giles Clarke said: "This is a very sad day for everyone connected with Surrey County Cricket club and for Glamorgan County Cricket club where Tom spent the early part of his career. Tom was a player of enormous potential who had already represented England Lions and had an exciting future ahead of him. Our hearts go out to the Maynard family for their tragic loss and we send them and all Tom's many friends and colleagues within the game our deepest sympathies."

Surrey's Friends Life t20 game against the Hampshire Royals at the Kia Oval on Wednesday has been postponed.Monday's England's press conference at Surrey's home, the Oval, has also been cancelled as a mark of respect.

Tributes have begun coming from Leading figures in the cricketing world.
Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff said on Twitter: "Tragic news that a great lad, Tom Maynard is no longer with us. All my thoughts are with his family at this awful time x x."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan Tweeted: "Thoughts are with Matt Maynard and his family.. Words can't describe the Terribly sad news that Tom Maynard has died aged 23... #RIPTOM."
"Can't believe the news about Tom Maynard !!!! Life can be so cruel ! Thoughts go out to his family !! Top bloke much talent ! R.I.P" tweeted former England bowler Matthew Hoggard.
Surrey teammate and former England batsman Mark Ramprakash tweeted that Maynard was "a really nice guy who was a pleasure to play with".

It is the second time that Surrey have lost one of their most promising young first-teamers in tragic circumstances. 10 years ago, England all-rounder Ben Hollioake was killed in a car accident in Australia.

[Travers Barney]

Dreadful news.

[mr-ska]

Love Cricket.. and Surrey CCC...  so gutted.. what a waste of a young life... RIP Tom x

http://www.kiaoval.com/tom-maynard-1989-2012/

[domprague]

It's the third early death for a Surrey player in the past 15 years. They also lost Graham Kersey, their wicketkeeper, who died in a car accident in 1997 aged 25.