David Bairstow found hanged

Former England cricketer David Bairstow has been found hanged at his home in Marton-cum-Grafton in North Yorkshire.

David Leslie Bairstow was born on 1 September 1951 near Bradford. He played for England in 4 Test matches and 21 One-Day Internationals between 1978/79 and 1984. His career with Yorkshire spanned 20 years during which he scored 12,985 runs and made 9 centuries.

Since retiring in 1990, Bairstow ran a sports merchandise business and has worked as a cricket commentator for tv and radio.

Police say that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death - although an inquest will take place in Harrogate. His body was discovered by a member of his family on Monday evening.

Fred Trueman, speaking on BBC Radio shortly after the news had broken, said that he was very shocked and "just couldn't take it in".

Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 18:31