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Cricket world in mourning over tragic death of 19-year-old prodigy

Joe Lunn, pictured here at Sutton Cricket Club.
Joe Lunn had died at age 19 from a rare form of cancer. Image: Sutton Cricket Club

The cricket world is mourning the tragic death of 19-year-old Joe Lunn from a rare form of cancer.

A wicket-keeper batsman, Lunn was a rising star in English cricket before being diagnosed with synovial sarcoma - a cancer affecting soft tissues around joints.

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Lunn had worked his way through the youth ranks at Surrey County Cricket Club and was a member of the famed club's academy.

"We were hugely saddened to hear of the death of former county age group played Joe Lunn, who passed away from synovial sarcoma - a rare form of cancer - this week aged 19," the club said in a statement.

"Joe played for Surrey in district and county age group cricket as wicket-keeper and batsman throughout his teenage years.

"He also represented Sutton Cricket Club with distinction, scoring a century as recently as last summer."

Surrey's director of cricket and former England Test star Alec Stewart led the tributes to Lunn.

“Whenever this happens it is an absolute tragedy," Stewart said.

"To hear of it happening to a member of our Surrey family has affected everyone at the club.

“We were all aware of the struggles that Joe was going through and did what we could to support him and his family.

"To hear that he has passed away is incredibly sad.

"I would like to send the thoughts and prayers of everyone at the club to all of Joe’s family and friends.”

Joe Lunn, pictured here playing for Sutton Cricket Club.
Joe Lunn was a rising star in English cricket. Image: Sutton Cricket Club

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Gareth Townsend, Surrey's academy director, said: “The Surrey district and age group system is a tight knit group of players, coaches and families.

"We were all incredibly sad to learn of Joe’s diagnosis and have done all we can to support him and his family throughout.

“To learn of his passing was heartbreaking for us all.

"On behalf of his friends and teammates in different Surrey teams over the years, I would like to send our deepest condolences and sympathies to his family and friends.”

In 2019 Lunn underwent major surgery to remove the tumours from his body, however the cancer later returned.

Last year he raised over $25,000 for charity through a 100-mile cycling challenge.

The 19-year-old completed the ‘100 miles for 1000 smiles’ challenge to raise funds for the Rays of Sunshine charity.

“Rays of Sunshine have been incredibly supportive of me and my family, while I continue to receive treatment for cancer," he said.

"This is about me giving something back.”

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