Sussex bowler Matthew Hobden dies at 22

London: Sussex fast bowler Matthew Hobden has died at the age of 22, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Sunday. Hobden made his first-class debut for Sussex in 2014 and represented the county across all formats of the game over the past three seasons.

 

A cause of death has not been announced. “Matt was a young cricketer with huge potential, and he is going to be missed so badly by all the guys,” Kevin Shine, the ECB’s lead fast bowling coach, said in a statement. “He made you smile every time you saw him, because he was so excited to be there and wanted to be the best he could.” Hobden was tipped to become an England international and was one of six players recently selected to take part in the ECB’s England Performance Programme (PEPP). England’s players wore black armbands during the second day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Sunday. England ODI captain Eoin Morgan said: “Thoughts and prayers are with Matt Hobden’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”