THE Somerset sporting community has been deeply shocked and saddened by the recent events in Nottingham in which 19 year old Barnaby Webber, who played cricket for Bishops Hull, was one of three people who lost their lives..

Barnaby attended Taunton School and was coming to the end of his first year at Nottingham University. He joined Bishops Hull CC in 2021 since when he made a considerable impact in a short time during which he had played more than 30 games in which he scored over 600 runs and claimed 29 wickets. He was a member of their championship winning side of last season.

As a mark of respect, the flag at the Cooper Associates County Ground isflying at half mast as were the Somerset and Essex flags at Chelmsford where both sets of players wore black armbands and before the start of play a minute of silence was also impeccably observed.

Representatives from Somerset County Cricket Club and Somerset Cricket Foundation, including Chief Executive Officer Gordon Hollins and John Bendle , the Managing Director of the Somerset Cricket Foundation. will join others in laying floral tributes at Bishops Hull CC where Barnaby had latterly played his cricket.

Barnaby will also be remembered at Somerset's forthcoming T20 fixture against Surrey on Friday, June 16, and against the championship game with Nottinghamshire on Sunday, June 25.

Clubs and leagues within the County are being asked to consider holding a minute’s silence or a minute’s applause at fixtures this weekend.

The thoughts of everyone associated with Somerset County Cricket Club and Somerset Cricket Foundation are with the family, friends and clubmates of Barnaby Webber at this difficult time.