Published: Jan 05, 2016, 04:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 05, 2016, 04:00 PM (IST)
Players from English county Sussex have been given the week off following the death of team-mate Matthew Hobden, coach Mark Davis revealed in a British newspaper interview published on Tuesday. Fast bowler Hobden was found dead in Scotland on Saturday at the age of 22. Police are investigating his death, which has not yet been explained, but say the circumstances are not suspicious. “I’ve given the boys a week away to make sure they can gather their thoughts and be around their loved ones, process what’s happened and reflect a little bit as well,” Davis told The Guardian. English cricketer Matthew Hobden’s death: Police investigations taking place
“We all met on Sunday morning, after we got the awful news, just to get everyone together. Everyone will grieve in different ways, but it was good to support each other. We need to stay strong to get through this tough time.” Hobden was tipped to become an England international and had been due to take part in the Potential England Performance Programme (PEPP) in South Africa later this month. England’s players have worn black armbands in Hobden’s memory during the ongoing second Test against South Africa in Cape Town. READ: English cricketer Matthew Hobden passes away aged 22
“First of all, he was a lovely person,” Davis added. “He was a gentle, nice, well-mannered young lad who was very much the heart and soul of the dressing room. He had a lovely sense of humour and was great fun to be around. But everyone knew he had great potential as a cricketer. He had all the attributes to be a top-class fast bowler.”
