Matt Hobden

Matthew Edward Hobden (27 March 1993 – 2 January 2016) was an English cricketer, a right-arm fast-medium bowler who batted right-handed. Born in Eastbourne, East Sussex, Hobden was educated at Millfield School and Eastbourne College. A police investigation into his death concluded in May 2016 with no further action or arrests.

Career As a youngster, Hobden played for Glynde & Beddingham Cricket Club; in 2009, he was part of the team that won the National Village Cricket Knockout Final at Lord's. In 2012, Hobden started playing for Preston Nomads Cricket Team, and was part of the team that won the 2012 Sussex Premier League. Hobden's last match for the Nomads was in August 2015, where he returned figures of 1/6 from 7 overs. He also played club cricket for Ynysygerwn.

In May 2014, Hobden signed a professional contract with Sussex. He made his County Championship debut on 1 June 2014, with match figures of 4/136. After the match, Hobden praised James Anyon, Jon Lewis and Steve Magoffin for encouraging him. Hobden was sidelined for a long spell of the 2014 season.

In April 2015, Hobden scored 65* in a Sussex record tenth-wicket partnership of 164 with Ollie Robinson. The then Sussex captain Ed Joyce defended him, saying "I think Matt will be a fantastic cricketer for Sussex in the future but he is still young and learning his trade at the moment", and then coach Mark Robinson said that: "This is Matt’s first full year as a professional and we rate him highly", and "in terms of his long-term future what happened in the Middlesex game could turn out to be brilliant for him as it helps mould who you are." and was selected as one of six fast bowlers selected for the Potential England Performance Programme (PEPP) in the winters of 2014/15 and 2015/16, working with the senior team.

Death and tributes Hobden died suddenly on 2 January 2016, aged 22, in Forres, Scotland.

His death was announced by Sussex County Cricket Club, who said that "Matthew was an exciting young cricketer with a big future ahead of him in the game." Speaking after Hobden's death, England fast bowling coach Kevin Shine said, "his potential was huge. He was improving rapidly and I'm certain that he would have played for England", and about his performance on the PEPP that, "he was the strongest, most powerful cricketer I've ever seen on that programme".

A police investigation into his death concluded in May 2016 with no further action or arrests.