Bavalan Pathmanathan died after he was hit by a ball on the chest while playing for Manipay Parish Sports Club in division three of the British Tamil League. The British Tamil cricketer was on field at the Long Ditton recreation grounds on Sunday when he received the blow.
Even though was given Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and treated in an ambulance, the 24 year old succumbed to the injury. A spokesman from the Ambulance Service 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 to Kingston hospital in a life-threatening condition.”
Surrey chief executive Richard Gould expressed grief at the sad news and offered his condolences to Pathmanathan's family. “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. Batsmen's safety on the field of play has been a topic of conversation in recent months following the death of former Australia international Phillip Hughes, who was struck on the neck by a bouncer last November.”
Batsmen's safety on field has been a matter of debate after casualties increased. Former Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes was killed recently after he was struck in the neck by a bouncer. In India, Bengal batsman Ankit Keshri died this year after an on-field collision in a domestic match.
