Cricket star ‘died in fall from roof ’ of Highland mansion
A TALENTED young cricketer tipped to play for his country is believed to have fallen to his death from the roof of a Scottish manor house.
Matthew Hobden, from East Sussex, was found dead last Saturday at an exclusive estate in Forres, near Inverness.
It is understood that the 22-year-old had been on the roof of Dalvey House before the tragic accident occurred.
The popular sportsman’s career was flourishing with his home county and he was regarded as a potential internationalist. England players wore black armbands in tribute on the second day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Sunday.
His parents, Peter, 59, a land auctioneer, and Emma, 50, a school nurse, were being comforted at home in Hailsham, East Sussex, yesterday.
They released a statement which read: ‘We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of Matthew, who had been celebrating New Year with friends.’
Police Scotland is investigating but a spokesman said there were no ‘suspicious circumstances’. The spokesman added: ‘The death continues to be treated as unexplained and inquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.’
Dalvey House is a Georgian home that has been owned by the MacLeod family for 250 years. Last night the estate was unavailable for comment.
A Sussex Cricket spokesman said the club members were ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by the sudden death.
He said: ‘Matthew was an exciting young cricketer with a big future ahead of him. He was a fantastic individual who will be greatly missed.’
Friends and teammates have paid glowing tributes to the young bowler, described as a gentleman both on and off the field. Jeremy Green, first XI captain of his amateur side Preston Nomads, said he was a ‘happy and joyous’ character who ‘lit up the room’.
‘For a gentle giant, he could still bowl you a 90mph bouncer,’ said Mr Green.
‘We had a nickname for him which was BMH, “Big Matt Hobden”. He was a largerthan-life guy. His passing is unbelievably hard to take.’
Born in Eastbourne, Mr Hobden went to Eastbourne College and studied business at Cardiff Metropolitan University before focusing on his sporting career. He joined the Nomads in 2012 and signed a professional contract with Sussex two years later.
He was one of six bowlers picked for the Potential England Performance Programme this winter. They were to spend time with the England team preparing for the international series against South Africa.
In a statement, Preston Nomads Cricket Club said: ‘That we will not see how far Matt’s talent will take him is a heartbreaking injustice. But we feel honoured that we got to be a part of his story.’