Cricketer dies after being struck in chest

A cricketer has died after being struck in the chest in a British club match. Photo / Getty

A club cricketer in England has died after being struck in the chest by a cricket ball while batting.

Bavalan Pathmanathan, 24, was batting for Manipay Parish Sports Club in a British Tamil League match in Surrey when he was hit in the chest.

A team-mate of Pathmanathan's, who was at the non-striker's end at the time, recounted what happened to the Colombo Mirror

"When he received the hit I asked from the other end if he is alright. He gave a thumb-up and nodded to indicate he was alright, while pressing his chest.

"He took a couple of steps behind the stumps and collapsed."

An air ambulance was called but Pathmanathan later died of his injuries.

The incident follows several cricketing deaths in recent months, after Australian cricketer Phil Hughes tragically passed away when hit in the helmet in November.

However, a report by the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations last month discovered that cricketers are as much at risk from lightning strikes as they are of being seriously injured by the ball.

Surrey cricket chief executive Richard Gould put out a statement lamenting Pathmanathan's death.

"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."