Cricketer Tom Maynard killed by train as he tried to evade police

ONE of the brightest prospects in cricket, Tom Maynard, died yesterday when he was hit by a train in London.

Surrey batsman Maynard, 23, was struck by a London Underground train just after 5am near Wimbledon.

It is thought that the Cardiff-born player, son of former England Test player Matthew Maynard, may have been trying to avoid police when he died.

British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed around midday yesterday that a 23-year-old man, named locally as Maynard, died after being hit by the train as it entered Wimbledon Park station after leaving Southfields.

Police officers had 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 approximately 4:15am on Monday, 18 June, officers stopped a vehicle after it was seen being driven erratically in Arthur Road.

“The male driver of the vehicle – a black Mercedes C250 – made off on foot.

“Officers were unable to locate the man.

“At approximately 5:10am, the body of a man fitting the same description was found on tracks near Wimbledon Park station.”

The big-hitting batsman turned professional at his home county Glamorgan five years ago.

He travelled to Bangladesh with the England Lions and was being tipped to follow in the footsteps of his father, who earned 18 international caps as a batsman and wicketkeeper.

Hugh Morris, managing director of England Cricket, led the tributes to the player, claiming Maynard was destined for greatness.

“He had the world at his feet. I played with his old man when he played for England and Tom was very much on that pathway,” he said.

“In many ways he was very similar to Matthew.

“He was an incredibly talented cricketer. He played for the Lions in the winter. He impressed all the coaches there.

“They liked him as a person and as a player and to have his life cut short in this way is an absolute tragedy.”

Maynard, a likeable and charismatic player at Surrey according to members of the club, played for the county in their Twenty20 game in Kent just 14 hours before he died.

The BTP added that it was not treating the death as suspicious.

“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,” a BTP spokesman said.

“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.”

Leading figures from within the sport reacted with sadness on Twitter.

Surrey and England batsman Kevin Pietersen led the tributes on the micro-blogging site, saying: “So unbelievably sad!! The Maynard family is so special!! Thoughts are with this special family!! Loads of love guys!! KP xxx £RIPTom”

Former Glamorgan team-mate Simon Jones said: “Don’t know what to say or do, bruiser you’ll be sorely missed, you were a special special person and talent! Love you bro.”

It is anticipated that the players will wear black armbands during England’s NatWest Series game against the West Indies today at Surrey’s home, the Kia Oval.