Ben Hollioake Photo CricInfo

Tributes are being paid to the Surrey and England all-rounder Ben Hollioake, who has been tragically killed in a car crash in Australia at the age of 24.

The England coach, Duncan Fletcher said: "Ben was a hugely talented young cricketer, a popular member of the side, and he will be greatly missed by everyone in the England dressing room.

"He was one of a number of young players that we were looking to take to the World Cup with the one-day squad next winter and it's tragic that a young life has been lost in this way."

The chairman of England's selectors, David Graveney said: "This is a great loss of someone who was so young and so talented.

"Everyone will remember the impact Ben made on his ODI debut at Lord's against Australia in 1997 and I also remember how proud his family was when both brothers were capped together for England against Australia in the Trent Bridge Test match in the same year.

"This tragedy will hit Surrey County Cricket Club particularly hard following the death of Graham Kersey and my thoughts go to everyone at Surrey and also to Ben's family."

The former England coach David Lloyd, who gave Hollioake his first opportunity at international level, was stunned by the news.

"You would be hard pressed to find a more popular lad anywhere in cricket," Lloyd said.

"This is absolutely devastating news for everyone who knew him and many of this England side who are playing against New Zealand at the moment would have grown up with him in junior cricket or played with him at Surrey.

"He gave you this impression of being laid back, but there was no one who worked harder at their game than Ben.

"He never quite cemented his place in the England side but there was no one who worked harder to get there.

"I remember his debut at Lord's when he played so well and his parents were there to watch it and the pride in their faces while he played that innings. It's so very sad."

Paul Sheldon, Surrey's chief executive, said: "This is devastating news. It's terrible to lose such a supreme talent as Ben's, just as he was beginning to realise his full potential as a cricketer."

Hollioake's Surrey colleague, the former England captain Alec Stewart, said: "Ben was the most naturally gifted and talented cricketer I've played with. This is a tragic loss of a great team-mate and friend. My thoughts and sympathies are with the Hollioake family."

The Managing Director of the Professional Cricketers' Association, Richard Bevan, said: "I am shocked and appalled by this dreadful tragedy. Ben was in the prime of life and his death is truly devastating. On behalf of everyone at the PCA I extend my deepest sympathy to Ben's family."

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