A Sri Lankan born batsman died after being struck in the chest by a ball while playing in a residential suburb in Surrey over the weekend. The deceased, Sri Lankan-born Bavalan Pathmanathan was playing for Manipay Parish Sports Club in the United Kingdom.
Pathmanathan was given CPR and treated by ambulance and doctors but the 24-year-old subsequently succumbed to his injuries. A statement from Manipay Parish SC on their Facebook page states: “Our cricketer Bavalan Pathmanathan is no longer with us. He was hit by the ball on his chest while batting. Our club was totally shocked by his death at this young age.”
The Surrey chief executive Richard Gould as quoted in the report saying, “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 in the neck by a bouncer last November.
