The Flatts and Eastern Counties communities are mourning the death of former cricketer Millard (Chris) Bean who was killed in an industrial accident at Morgan’s Point on Tuesday.Bean, 47, is a former Flatts opening batsman who captained the team in the Eastern Counties in 1989 and also represented Bermuda at two International Youth Tournaments, in Denmark and Holland in 1981 and ‘83.Bean made his Eastern Counties debut at age 18 and had a good start in the competition with knocks of 47, 37, 43 and 50 in four of his first six innings. The 50 came in 1989 when he captained the Flatts team at the age of 24. The 50 he scored in the first round against St David’s that year was his only half century in the Eastern Counties.Bean made his debut in 1983 and played 13 Eastern Counties matches up to 1998, scoring a total of 256 runs for an average of 19.69.Bermuda Cricket Board President Lloyd Fray was a teammate of Bean at Flatts, in fact they made their County debuts in the same year, 1983, and were also members of the Bermuda youth team to Holland that year.“On behalf of the Bermuda Cricket Board, we are greatly saddened with the passing of Mr Millard Bean,” said Fray, himself a left-handed early order batsman.“He was indeed a good supporter of cricket, and who also brought a proverbial style to both the cricket field and to his club, the Flatts Victoria Recreation Club. Millard who was known to many as ‘Chris’, was an avid cricketer who was no slouch as an early order batsman.“I had the opportunity to share the opening batting with Millard for FVRC in both the domestic league and in the prestigious Eastern Counties series. I mostly will remember Millard for his enthusiasm and ability to want to overcome pressure situations on the field of play. It was only a few months ago that we had a ‘curbside’ meeting where he gave his strong suggestions on improving our standards of play. I believe I speak for the entire cricketing fraternity that Millard will be greatly missed.”Bean also played for Hamilton Parish for four seasons from 1990 to 1993 in the early 1990s before rejoining Flatts in 1994.“It is a shock to us in the Eastern Counties community and when he wasn’t playing he was always there to cheer on his team Flatts and the Eastern Counties,” stated Steven Douglas, President of the Eastern Counties.“He went on tour to Denmark and Holland and was a very outstanding cricketer for the country. At this time we feel for his family and for the Flatts family, these things are not things you expect to happen to a young man. This is very difficult to comprehend and understand, but it happens, and we just have to find a way that we can help in any way we can. My condolences to his immediate family and to the Flatts and Eastern Counties families.”Former Bailey’s Bay player Corey Hill played briefly with Bean at Hamilton Parish and also against him in the league and in the Eastern Counties. “I loved to bowl to him because he was left-handed and we always had a special rivalry going on between us,” said Hill.“It is sad that this has taken place and my prayers are with him and his family and I hope they can get through this. I’m sad to see this day and wish his family all the best.“I was in school overseas when he played for Hamilton Parish so most of my time was spent playing against him (Bailey’s Bay v Flatts) in the Eastern Counties. My fondest memories are bowling against him on the morning in the Eastern County and we always this rivalry between us. He was a genuinely nice, pleasant guy.”In an interview in the 1990 Eastern Counties magazine, Flatts teammate Brandon Woolridge rated Bean as the most underrated player in Bermuda, “who doesn’t get the recognition because of the club he is playing with.”