Bavalan Pathmanathan dead: Young British cricketer killed after being struck in the chest by ball during a match

Tragic incident occurred on Sunday with Pathmanathan being air-lifted to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries

Bavalan Pathmanathan has died after being struck by a cricket ball (Facebook/Bavalan Pathmanathan)

British cricketer Bavalan Pathmanathan has died after being struck by a cricket ball in the chest, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

24-year-old Pathmanathan was playing for Hersham-based Manipay Parish Sports Club in the British Tamils Cricket League on Sunday when he suffered a blow to the chest caused by being accidentally hit by the ball.

Pathmanathan was air-lifted to hospital from the Long Ditton recreation grounds, but it was confirmed today that he had died from his injuries.

A spokesman from the South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed that they attended an incident at the recreation grounds at around 7pm.

He said: "We were called to Windmill Lane, Long Ditton, to reports that a man in his 20s had been injured by a cricket ball striking his chest.

"We sent an ambulance and two cars to the scene along with an ambulance from the London Ambulance Service and the air ambulance also.

"The man was treated at the scene and then taken into Kingston Hospital in a life-threatening condition."

Surrey County Cricket Club expressed its sadness at the "tragic incident, and chief executive Richard Gould said: “Everyone at the club has been deeply saddened to learn of Bavalan’s death and would like to extend their sympathies to his family, friends and everyone who knew him from within the community of cricket.”