A cricketer has died after being struck on the chest by a ball during a local league game in Surrey.
Bavalan Pathmanathan, 24, was in bat for Manipay Parish Sports Club at Long Ditton recreation grounds on Sunday 5 July, when he missed the ball, which went on to strike him on the chest.
Speaking to the Sri Lankan newspaper the Colombo Mirror, a team-mate of Pathmanathan said that the batsman had given the thumbs up when asked if he was alright, before pressing his chest, stumbling a couple of steps, and collapsing.
An air ambulance was called to the scene, but subsequently passed away from his injuries, according to Surrey County Cricket Club.
In a statement, Manipay Parish Sports Club said:
“Our cricketer Bavalan Pathmanathan is no longer with us. He was hit by the ball on his chest while batting. our club was totally shock by his death at this young age.”
The British Tamils Cricket League, in which the Manipay Parish Sports Club competes, said:
“One of our member club’s player Bavalan Pathmanathan (Age 24 , Manipay Parish SC (UK)) was hit by the cricket ball on the chest while batting and died due to heart failure. This tragic accident happened at Long Ditton recreation grounds on a Division 3 match on 05 July (approximately 7pm). BTCL expresses deepest condolences to Bavalan’s family and friends.
“He was an old student of Hartley College, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.”
The incident follows the death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes in November, who died after being struck on the top of the neck by a ball during a domestic match in Sydney.
