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England players to pay tribute to Maynard at Oval

Black armbands and a minute's silence today at the home ground of deceased young batsman

Tom Collomosse
Tuesday 19 June 2012 01:18 BST
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The England team will wear black armbands for today's one-day international against West Indies as a mark of respect for Tom Maynard, the Surrey batsman who died yesterday aged 23.

A minute's silence will also be held before the start of play at the Oval for Maynard, who is thought to have been struck by a London Underground train and was dead when British Transport Police arrived at the scene, near Wimbledon Park station on the District Line, after 5am.

Police said a man matching Maynard's description ran away after a car being driven "erratically" was stopped shortly before. The police watchdog IPCC may investigate.

Maynard was regarded as one of the most promising young English batsmen and was a member of the England Lions party that toured Bangladesh earlier this year. Members of the senior England squad, including Jonny Bairstow, who was also on that tour, are thought to have been told the news by coach Andy Flower before yesterday's practice session. The Surrey flag on the Oval pavilion was flying at half-mast.

Surrey seam bowler Jade Dernbach, who was a good friend of Maynard, will be allowed to withdraw from the England squad for the remainder of the limited-overs series against West Indies if he feels unable to play. Chris Woakes, of Warwickshire, has been added to the squad, giving Dernbach the option of taking compassionate leave.

While it was never likely that today's international would be postponed, Surrey moved to call off their Friends Life t20 fixture against Hampshire, which was due to take place tomorrow. Coach Chris Adams is believed to have passed on the news of Maynard's death to the players yesterday.

Maynard was a popular member of the Surrey squad – he was very close to captain Rory Hamilton-Brown – and a number of players used Twitter to express their grief. Young batsman Jason Roy wrote: "Cant believe im writing this. R.I.P Tom Maynard, one of my best friends. You will always be in my heart and will miss you so so much."

The son of former England batsman Matthew Maynard, Tom left Glamorgan before the 2011 season and became a key member of an exciting Surrey batting line-up, helping them win the domestic 40-over competition last summer. He was a guest on Sky Sports' Cricket AM programme on Saturday, and he played in his county's Twenty20 game against Kent at Beckenham on Sunday.

It is the third time in 15 years the Surrey squad have lost a team-mate. In January 1997, Graham Kersey, who was 25, died after a car crash. And in 2002, Ben Hollioake, who also played 22 times for England, lost his life in a road accident aged 24.

Surrey chairman Richard Thompson said: "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 greater things.

"The impact Tom made in such a short period of time for Surrey 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."

Hugh Morris, the managing director of England cricket and a former team-mate of Tom's father, Matthew, at Glamorgan, added: "Tom played just like his old man. Matthew played for England and Tom was on that pathway. To have his life cut short in this way is such a tragedy."

The Oval: Details for the second One Day International

Probable teams

England

A N Cook (capt), I R Bell, I J L Trott, R S Bopara, EJG Morgan, C Kieswetter (wkt), T T Bresnan,

S C J Broad, G P Swann,

J M Anderson, S T Finn.

West Indies

C H Gayle, L M P Simmons, D R Smith, M N Samuels, K A Pollard, D E Ramdin (wkt), J Charles, D J G Sammy (capt), F H Edwards, S P Narine, R Rampaul.

Weather

A sunny start, but there is a chance of rain in the afternoon.

Maximum temperature: 20C.

Television details

10.30am-7pm, Sky Sports 1.

Highlights: Channel 5, 7-8pm.

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