Tributes and tears as cricketing stars say their goodbyes to tragic batsman

The cricketing world paid its respects to Tom Maynard at his funeral in his home city yesterday.

The 23-year-old Surrey batsman died last month after being hit by a London Underground train, and a congregation of around 900 attended his funeral at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff. Alongside Maynard’s father Matthew, mother Sue and sister Ceri, were cricketing figures including England captain Andrew Strauss, Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood, Mike Gatting, Alec Stewart and Kevin Pietersen.

Strauss said: “I first saw Tom when he was a teenager when Matthew was batting coach of England.

“He had grown up so well since then and was forging a name for himself in the game.

“That’s part of what makes it so tragic he is no longer with us.

“I obviously feel so much for Matthew, Sue and the family to have to go through this.

“But I think today is as much about celebrating Tom and what he achieved as it is saying goodbye.

“It’s obviously a very tough day for everyone who knew him, no more so than for members of his family.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board was represented by managing director Hugh Morris and chief executive David Collier, with former Glamorgan captain Morris delivering a glowing eulogy to a player who had been tipped to represent England in the near future.