British Tamil batsman dies after being hit on the chest

London, July 8 (IANS) A British Tamil batsman died after being hit by a ball on the chest while turning up for Manipay Parish Sports Club in division three of the British Tamil League.

Bavalan Pathmanathan was playing at the Long Ditton recreation grounds on Sunday when he received the blow.

"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," a spokesman from South East Coast Ambulance Service was quoted as saying by the guardian.com on Tuesday.

"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," he added.

Pathmanathan was given Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and was treated in an ambulance but the 24-year-old died from the injuries, guardian.com reported.

Manipay Parish SC on their Facebook page posted: "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."

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."

Last year, Australian batsman Phillip Hughes died after being hit on the head by a bouncer during a domestic match.

In India, Bengal batsman Ankit Keshri died in April this year owing to an on-field collision sustained during a domestic match.