Cricket mourns a young talent which promised to deliver much

The tragedy will be felt on many levels, most rawly of course by the young Surrey batsman’s family and close friends. Perhaps most telling of all is cricket’s communal accord that Maynard has been lost before it was even half-known how far his sporting abilities could take him.

Irrespective of the circumstances of his death on a London Tube line, Maynard’s talent will never be fulfilled.

Maynard moved from Glamorgan to Surrey in 2011, unable to give his best for his native county any longer because of the circumstances of his father’s departure as coach.

In London, evidence of his progression and rumblings of the extent of his social gusto emerged in near equal measure.

It seemed Maynard’s tale, on and off the pitch, was one which would thrill and captivate followers of Surrey – and maybe England – for years to come.

Instead it has amounted to a mere flirtation with England Lions, a collection of exhilarating innings, including six hundreds in his 161 professional matches, all cut tragically short.

Tom Maynard’s early passing is a case not merely of what might have been but what should have been - the flowering of a rich talent and life force.