Thousand attend Maynard funeral

Tom Maynard's funeral in Cardiff has been attended by more than 1000 mourners including many figures from the sporting world.

Maynard, 23, who played for Surrey, was found dead on train tracks near Wimbledon Park tube station in West London on June 18 and the pathologists report said the cause of death was electrocution. An inquest has been opened and adjourned until September 24.

Many current and former team-mates from Surrey and Glamorgan were present along with England Test captain Andrew Strauss. Rugby, another major sport in Maynard's life, was represented by Wales legend Gareth Edwards and England player Danny Cipriani who went to school with Maynard.

The Maynard family had decided to keep the funeral service as an open affair to allow as many people as possible to attend and around 100 watched from outside Llandaff Cathedral. Eulogies were given my Hugh Morris, the managing director of England cricket and a former Glamorgan captain who played alongside Tom's father Matthew, Glamorgan captain Mark Wallace and the player's uncle Charles Maynard

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. No-one will feel a greater sense of loss today than Matt, Sue, Ceri and family.

"What saddens me so much is that we have not only lost a hugely popular and colourful character, but one of the most exciting and explosive young batsmen."

Strauss added: "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."