Hardman’s death stuns league

Tom Hardman playing for Heywood in a CLL Twenty20 semi-final tie against Werneth.

PLAYERS and officials in the Lake Garage Central Lancashire Cricket League have been stunned by the death of Middleton’s Tom Hardman at 21.

Widely regarded as one of the league’s most talented all-rounders, Hardman — who would have been 22 on Monday — was found dead in his room at a Leeds university on Wednesday.

A silent tribute will be paid to the cricketer at tonight’s annual meeting at Middleton Cricket Club.

Hardman came up through the youth ranks at Heywood Cricket Club before moving to Clitheroe as professional and then on to Middleton for whom he played a leading amateur role.

Hardman was second in the 2012 CLL batting averages to prolific run-scorer Bobby Cross, his former Heywood team-mate and the captain whom he played under at Crimble.

Cross, who helped to nurture the young Hardman’s talent at Crimble said: “It is absolutely terrible news.

“He had many childhood friends here and all of them are completely devastated.

“I am sure the people at Clitheroe and Middleton will be feeling the same and as he also had a spell with the Lancashire academy the impact will be widespread in cricket.”