Cricket world pays tribute to tragic Tom

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 cricket 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 of cricket.

“I suppose that’s part of what makes it so tragic he is no longer with us.”

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 was tipped to represent his country one day.

Morris said: “The presence of so many members of the cricket community tells me Tom was not only a player blessed with extraordinary talent, but somebody whose sense of fun and enjoyment made him a hugely popular figure within our game.”

Glamorgan captain Mark Wallace also delivered a eulogy, while former X-Factor contestant Lucie Jones, who like Maynard hails from the village of Pentyrch, sang two songs during the service.