ENGLAND'S one-day cricket stars have brought comfort to the family of a sports-mad Hampshire boy who died from a suspected asthma attack.

Big name players including Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles and captain Michael Vaughan have signed a bat that will be cremated alongside little Anuj Panchmatia.

The nine-year-old had planned to collect his heroes' autographs at the ICC Champions Trophy match against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl in West End on Friday.

But the youngster collapsed at the private Stroud School in Romsey while warming up for a football match on Wednesday, as reported in Saturday's Daily Echo.

Anuj's parents described it as a wonderful gesture by the England team towards their son who idolised them.

Mum Namrata said: "We wanted him to be dressed in his cricket whites and have his bat with him. He will also have his drum sticks, his other great love."

Dad Manoj added: "We are very grateful to the team for this. He was so excited about seeing them and taking his bat to get it signed.

"It is a comfort knowing he will have that with him now."

Anuj died despite the best efforts of school staff, the matron and paramedics to save him.

Although a post-mortem proved inconclusive it is thought Anuj suffered a severe asthma attack, a condition from which he suffered since the age of three.

Further tests will be carried out this week by the Winchester coroner to determine the exact cause of death as Anuj also suffered from a nut allergy.

His family, who live in Chandler's Ford, have been left devastated by the death of Anuj, who also had an older sister Aarti, 13.

They had been planning a belated birthday party for him over the weekend because he turned nine when the family were abroad.

Mrs Panchmatia said: "He was quite sure he wanted something that his friends could all come to as his birthday was in August when we were on holiday. We had planned it for this weekend and he was so excited about that."