Former cricket star Steve James lifts lid on devastating family loss ahead of Vitality Blast Finals Day

In February 2020, former Glamorgan and England cricketer Steve James and his family’s life changed forever after the sudden death of his daughter Bethan aged, 21.

James described the events as having ‘devastated’ wife Jane, his and son Rhys’ lives – with the tragic events made worse by him missing Bethan’s death.

James, who works as a journalist, was away covering a Six Nations match in Ireland when Bethan was taken seriously ill, with his journey back delayed by poor weather and she died before he got home.

Bethan had battled illness before, having undergone a bowel operation at a young age, and she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in the year before her death.

James played in two Tests for England in 1998 and holds the record for Glamorgan’s highest individual score – 309 not out against Sussex in 2000.

Since retiring in 2003, he has gone on to forge a career as a successful and respected cricket and rugby writer.

And at the Vitality Blast Finals he will discuss the impact the tragedy has had on his family, for the first time, in an emotional film on Sky Sports that has been produced by the Professional Cricketers’ Trust.

James, 54, said: “During the Saturday, Bethan just deteriorated and deteriorated.

“I got back to Heathrow Airport and Jane (his wife) was then telling me that Bethan had got sepsis.

“I’m driving back along the M4 and then eventually I get a call from Jane saying Bethan’s gone and a nurse comes on to tell me to pull over because I’m obviously in no state [to drive].

“So, I pull over, I’m sick on the side of the road and I wish I’d been here – when I left, I didn’t actually go up and see Bethan, I shouted to her and said ‘goodbye’ from downstairs.

“The next time I see her she’s lying dead in a