ECB vow drugs crackdown after rising star's death

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) pledged to take all "reasonable steps" to stop players using recreational drugs following an inquest into the death of one the game's rising stars.

Surrey batsman Tom Maynard, tipped as a future England international, was electrocuted on a railway line and struck by a train as he attempted to flee police while on drink and drugs yesterday.

Before he died in June last year, Maynard, the 23-year-old son of former Glamorgan and England batsman Matthew Maynard, had been stopped by police nearby after his black Mercedes was seen driving erratically but he then fled the vehicle, leaving the keys in the ignition.

A post-mortem examination revealed alcohol levels in his body nearly four times above the legal driving limit and that he had taken cocaine and ecstasy in the form of MDMA after a night out.

Surrey have since introduced an anti-drugs policy which all players and management must abide by.

And following a verdict of accidental death reached Tuesday by the inquest at Westminster Coroner's Court, the ECB and Surrey issued a join statement announcing plans to test for recreational drugs.

"In the light of today's (Tuesday's) verdict, ECB and Surrey CCC would like to reiterate that this incident was a terrible human tragedy and again extend our condolences to the Maynard family and to Tom Maynard's many friends and colleagues within the professional game.

"While the ECB accepts that recreational drug use is a part of modern society, we do not condone it and will take all reasonable steps to prevent its use within the game.
"We also believe we have a responsibility to educate all our players and are committed to supporting any player who needs help in this area."