Rising cricket star Maynard dead at 23

Tom Maynard

LONDON - Surrey’s Tom Maynard, one of England’s most promising batsmen, has died at the age of 23, the county said on Monday.

Maynard, the son of former Glamorgan and England batsman Matthew Maynard, was killed after being struck by a London Underground train in the early hours of Monday morning.

British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed a 23-year-old man, named locally as Maynard, had died near Wimbledon Park station in south-west London.

A BTP spokesman said: “BTP officers were called to the line near Wimbledon Park London Underground station on Monday, 18 June after a man was struck by a District line train.

“London Ambulance Service medics attended but the man, believed to be 23 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The incident was reported to BTP at 5.03am and is currently being treated as non-suspicious.”

Mystery surrounded the end of Maynard’s life after London’s Metropolitan Police said he’d run away when stopped while driving “erratically” on Arthur Road, near Wimbledon Park station, before being hit by the tube train.

“At approx 0415hrs on Monday, 18 June, officers stopped a vehicle after it was seen being driven erratically in Arthur Road, SW19,” Scotland Yard said.

“The male driver of the vehicle — a black Mercedes C250 — made off on foot. Officers were unable to locate the man.

“At approx 0510hrs the body of a man fitting the same description was found on tracks near Wimbledon Park station.”

Tom Maynard began his career with Glamorgan before joining Surrey at the start of last season and also played for the England Lions, the national A team.

He left Glamorgan after his father was forced out as coach of the Welsh county in 2010, saying his position had become “untenable”.

A view of The Oval cricket stadium in 2009. Surrey’s Tom Maynard, one of England’s most promising batsmen, has died at the age of 23, the county said Monday. He had been due to play at the Oval this week.

Maynard scored his maiden first-class hundred at Cardiff, Glamorgan’s headquarters, last year and helped Surrey win the county 40-over tournament.

A first-class record of 2,384 runs in 48 matches at 32.65 with four hundreds may seem modest but it was the way he compiled that tally which led him to be identified as an England prospect.

Surrey chairman Richard Thompson said: “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.”

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke added: “This is a very sad day…Tom was a player of enormous potential who had already represented England Lions and had an exciting future ahead of him.”

Maynard’s Surrey team-mate Kevin Pietersen was among England players who posted their condolences on Twitter.

“So unbelievably sad!! The Maynard family is so special!! Thoughts are with this special family!! Loads of love guys!! KP xxx £RIPTom”.

Australia coach Mickey Arthur, who knows Matthew Maynard from the time he spent in Arthur’s native South Africa, spoke of his shock following the squad’s arrival in Leicester ahead of a one-day series against England.

“I know his dad quite well — he was coach of the year in South Africa this year,” said Arthur.

“It’s a tragedy to lose such a talented player. He was certainly flamboyant, had a lot of potential and a lot of talent.

“Who knows where he would have ended up?

“But our thoughts are with the family, and I hope they get to the bottom of it,” Arthur added.

This was the third time in 15 years Surrey were mourning the passing of a young cricketer after both Ben Hollioake, an England all-rounder, and wicket-keeper Graham Kersey died following car crashes in Australia.

From Australia, Adam Hollioake, Ben’s brother and a former Surrey captain, tweeted: “Wot is going on at Surrey? R we cursed or something? Graham Kersey, my bro, now this….Treasure every moment with loved ones x.”

An ECB spokeswoman confirmed there would be a minute’s silence ahead of the second one-day international between England and the West Indies at The Oval, Surrey’s London headquarters, on Tuesday with the England team wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.