THE world's most famous cricket club has paid tribute to 'a devoted father' who died following a road accident.The grandstand flag at Lords Cricket Ground, headquarters of the Marylebone Cricket Club which presides over the rules of the game, flew at half mast in the days following the death of Michael Wolton, 39, who was hit by a car in Wandsworth, South London, in the morning rush hour.

THE world's most famous cricket club has paid tribute to 'a devoted father' who died following a road accident.

The grandstand flag at Lords Cricket Ground, headquarters of the Marylebone Cricket Club which presides over the rules of the game, flew at half mast in the days following the death of Michael Wolton, 39, who was hit by a car in Wandsworth, South London, in the morning rush hour.

Mr Wolton, whose parents John and Mary live at Lavenham, was both a member and employee of Lords where he worked in the MCC's renowned museum department, home to the coveted Ashes urn and his funeral was held at Lavenham's historic church yesterday.

The accident happened at around 8.00am on March 19 when Mr Walton was hit by a Ford Focus while crossing the road.

He was taken St George's Hospital, Tooting with serious head injuries, where he died the following day.

Just two days before his death he had enjoyed a members' dinner hosted at the Long Room at Lords by MCC president Charles Fry.

MCC assistant curator Glenys Williams said: “All members of staff were shocked by the news of the accident that took Michael's life.

“Michael was a devoted father and always delighted in talking about and showing members of staff photographs of his growing family,” she added.

Colleagues from the famous ground attended his funeral, held at the same church where he married his Australian wife Karen in 1998.

Mr Wolton was educated at Radley School, itself closely affiliated to the MCC and former headmaster Dennis Silk is a past president of the club.

Like his father and brother Mr Wolton went up to Cambridge University but completed his studies at Melbourn University where he took a degree in business studies and began a long love affair with the country.

When he returned to England he took up a position at Australia House, where he met his future wife, and later became a board member of the Britain-Australia Society.

A spokesman for the Society, which fosters relations between the two countries, said he was a “much respected board member.”

Mr Wolton was the father of two-year-old twins Harry and Matilda and an accomplished and devoted real tennis player.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said investigations into the accident were still ongoing.