ECB will pay tribute at Ashes to Nottingham student cricketers
England and Wales Cricket Board will pay tribute at Ashes tests to ‘brilliant’ Nottingham student cricketers who were knifed to death as they walked home
- ECB confirmed they will mark the tragedies at both Edgbaston and Trent Bridge
- Grace Kumar and Barnaby Webber were remembered as talented cricketers
The Ashes will commemorate tragic student cricketers Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar in their upcoming tests, the England and Wales Cricket Board have confirmed.
The 19-year-olds – whose teams both posted moving tributes – were horrifically killed in a knife rampage at around 4am on Tuesday.
Essex Women’s Cricket today paid tribute to a ‘massive talent’ – who was their captain while part of the junior programme.
Essex – who are today playing Somerset, where Barnaby’s team were located – are playing under flags at half mast, while both sides are wearing black armbands and have observed a minute’s silence.
Somerset are also planning another minute’s silence for their game on Friday, and a further minute when they travel up to play Nottingham on June 25.
Bishops Hull Cricket Club – who Barnaby played for – paid tribute to the keen sportsman last night
The 19-year-olds – whose teams both posted moving tributes – were horrifically killed in a knife rampage at around 4am on Tuesday
Essex Women’s Cricket today paid tribute to a ‘massive talent’ – who was their captain while part of the junior programme
Tributes to Barnaby sat beneath the stumps of his old village side Bishops Hull Cricket Club
Essex – who are today playing Somerset, where Barnaby’s team were located – are playing under flags at half mast, while both sides are wearing black armbands and have observed a minute’s silence
Bishops Hull Cricket Club posted photos of tributes to Barnaby sat beneath the stumps of the village side.
The ECB confirmed that they will mark the tragedies at both the Edgbaston and Trent Bridge Tests – which will take place from June 16-20 and June 22-26.
READ MORE: Family of one of two Nottingham students, 19, killed in knife rampage slam ‘senseless murder’ of their ‘beautiful, brilliant’ son – as it’s revealed suspect is a West African migrant with a history of petty drug dealing
In a message posted on social media last night, they said: ‘Heartbreaking news. Our thoughts are with Barnaby’s family, friends and club mates at Bishops Hull Cricket Club.’
It is not yet known what form this will take, although previously the test has paid tribute with a minute’s applause and a minute’s silence.
The pair were walking back from a celebratory night out, and witnesses have described them coming across the knifeman before getting into a heated argument which ended with them being stabbed.
Essex Womens Cricket today did a minute’s silence today in memory of their former player.
They said: ‘We are all devastated to hear of the tragic passing of Grace O’Malley Kumar.
‘A massive talent while part of our junior programme, a respected captain and awesome teammate.
‘Our thoughts are with family, friends and all that knew Grace.’
Barnaby’s parents David and Emma Webber, and younger brother Charlie, released a heartfelt statement, telling how the murdered student was ‘at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man’.
Grace Kumar, 19 was a rising star in the hockey world, who played for England’s U16s and U18s
The third victim of the Nottingham attacks was today named as Ian Coates, a school caretaker in his 60s
READ MORE: Father of medical student, 19, knifed to death in Nottingham rampage is hero doctor who was awarded MBE for saving lives of three teens stabbed in gang attack close to his GP surgery in 2009
They said: ‘Complete devastation is not enough to describe our pain and loss at the senseless murder of our son.
‘Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to.
‘A talented and passionate cricketer, who was over the moon to have made selection to his university cricket team.’
Bishops Hull Cricket Club – who Barnaby played for – paid tribute to the keen sportsman last night.
They said: ‘“Webbs” joined the club back in 2021 and has since then been a key part of our club and made such an impact in such a short space of time.
‘Playing more than 30 games for the club, scoring 622 runs, and taking 29 wickets, his memory will live on.’
Dan Chanter, who also plays for the team, shared a picture of a memoral for Barnaby beneath a set of stumps.
He added: ‘I really can’t believe what has happened today, we had so many good laughs on and off the field!
Barnaby’s parents David and Emma Webber, and younger brother Charlie, released a heartfelt statement , telling how the murdered student was ‘at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man’
Grace’s family are yet to release a public statement, after declining to speak yesterday. England Hockey paid tribute to her this morning
‘You’ll be deeply missed but never forgotten.
READ MORE: Nottingham attack LIVE: Third victim is named as school caretaker in his 60s, tributes are paid to two university students stabbed to death in rampage, and suspect refuses to co-operate with police
Grace’s family are yet to release a public statement, after declining to speak yesterday. England Hockey paid tribute to her this morning.
The tributes come as it was revealed the 31-year-old suspect arrested over the rampage previously lived on the street where the teenagers were killed.
The third victim of the Nottingham attacks was today named as a school caretaker in his 60s.
Ian Coates, was stabbed to death in the early hours of yesterday some time after the same attacker fatally knifed 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar at 4am.
He worked at Huntington Academy, a primary school in the city, and was described this morning as a ‘beloved and respected’ member of staff.
After murdering Mr Coates, the suspect is believed to have stolen his van before driving at pedestrians at a bus stop in Milton Street at 5.30am. Three people were injured, with one in a critical condition in hospital and two suffering minor injuries.
After stopping the white Vauxhall Vivaro van, officers used a Taser to arrest the driver. A 31-year-old man – believed to be a West African migrant with a history of mental health issues – was detained on suspicion of murder and is now in custody.
The 31-year-old suspect arrested over the rampage previously lived on the street where the teenagers were killed.
Sources say he is a low-level drug dealer who was known to police but did not have a criminal record. He is believed to have lived in the UK legally for over a decade with neighbours describing him as a ‘very quiet guy’, according to the Telegraph.
There are also unconfirmed reports that the suspect recently converted to Islam and started attending an Islamic centre close to the scene.
He is also described as having a history of mental health issues.
It was previously suggested that the investigation is turning away from terror and instead focusing on the suspect’s mental state.
The unnamed man is accused of knifing the students before also killing Mr Coates.
He then took his van which he smashed into three people. He is currently in custody on suspicion of murder.
Source: Read Full Article