TODAY’S second NatWest Series match at The Oval will take place in sombre circumstances, following the death of Surrey batsman Tom Maynard.

England’s players learned of Maynard’s death at the age of just 23 when coach Andy Flower gathered them together to break the news yesterday morning.

Maynard, 23, was struck by a London Underground train at just after 5am in Wimbledon and was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is thought that he may have been trying to avoid police when he died.

Police officers tried to pull over a black Mercedes, which was being driven ‘‘erratically’’, an hour before Maynard’s body was found on the tracks.

Maynard was one of the most promising and exciting of a new generation of talent at The Oval, following his move from Glamorgan last year.

It is anticipated England will wear black armbands, and a minute’s silence will take place, before the start of the match against West Indies.

Maynard’s Surrey teammate, and friend, Jade Dernbach will almost certainly miss the fixture on compassionate grounds – and England have called up Warwickshire seamer Chris Woakes in his place.

England, who lead 1-0 with two to play, have the opportunity to clinch the series.

Injury-hit West Indies face a difficult task to battle back.

It was confirmed that Chris Gayle, a shock absentee two days ago with a previously unreported shin injury from what would have been his first match of the tour, is to have a scan on his leg.

Darren Bravo was in the wars on the south coast too, and the groin injury he suffered there – which forced him off the field and then prevented him batting in his usual position – has spelled the end of his tour.