Cricket:Surrey batsman Tom Maynard died this morning after he was hit by a train in London. The 23-year-old was struck by a London Underground train at just after 5am in Wimbledon and was pronounced dead at the scene.
It is thought that the Cardiff-born player may have been trying to avoid police when he died.
Maynard, son of former England and Glamorgan batsman Matthew Maynard, was hit by a District Line train that was travelling between Wimbledon Park and Southfields.
A spokesman for British Transport Police (BTP) 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.
“The incident was reported to BTP at 5.03am and was also attended by Metropolitan Police officers.
“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.
“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”
Police 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 4.15am 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 approx 5.10am the body of a man fitting the same description was found on tracks near Wimbledon Park station.”
The force added that it was still trying to identify the man found on the tracks and that the Directorate of Professional Standards and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) have been informed.
Maynard came through the ranks at Glamorgan before moving to Surrey last summer.
The big-hitting batsman 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.
Surrey chairman Richard Thompson said in a statement: “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.”
As a mark of respect, Surrey’s Friends Life Twenty20 game against the Hampshire Royals at the Kia Oval that was scheduled for this Wednesday has been postponed.
There was no immediate indication as to whether England’s one-day international against the West Indies at The Oval tomorrow would be affected.
England and the West Indies today both cancelled planned press conference today as a mark of respect to the player.
Surrey paceman Jade Dernbach is currently in the England squad that is due to the play the tourists tomorrow, but is very unlikely to turn out for Alastair Cook’s side.
Ireland wicket-keeper Gary Wilson is also on the Surrey staff and is due to travel to Belfast later this week for the one-day international against Australia at Stormont.
Australia coach Mickey Arthur knew Maynard, and spoke of his shock at his death.
“It’s a tragedy,” he said. “The cricket family is so small you always tend to know everybody in it.
“I know his dad quite well
he was coach of the year in South Africa this year.
“Our thoughts go out to his family. It’s a tragedy to lose such a talented player.”
Arthur was speaking alongside Australia captain Michael Clarke in Leicester, where their team will play the first warm-up match on their one-day international tour on Thursday.
“He was certainly flamboyant, had a lot of potential and a lot of talent,” the South African added of Maynard.
“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.”
Clarke never met Maynard, but did know his father.
“I played against his father when I was at Hampshire a few years back,” he said. “As the coach said, our thoughts certainly go out to his family.”