da marjack bet： The tragic death of Ben Hollioake completely overshadowed the Second Testin Wellington
Scoop27-Mar-2002The tragic death of Ben Hollioake completely overshadowed the Second Testin Wellington.Most of the 5,000 or so England fans on the ground first learned of thedeath of 24-year-old Ben at around 10.30am local time on the third day -around 30 minutes in to the extended day’s play.BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew was doing a commentary stint onthe local sports radio station when he uttered the words: “I have some verysaddening news for England cricket fans listening…”An eerie silence fell over the large crowd and it only became clear laterthat the then batsmen – skipper Nasser Hussain and Ben’s Surrey team-mateMark Butcher – were totally unaware of the terrible news.The devastating news breaking during the middle of a Test match obviouslyhit everyone hard.And the Barmy Army were left with a dilemma as Paul “Leafy” Burnham explained.He said: “Everyone was shocked and saddened by the news – a debate wenton about whether it would be appropriate to sing Ben’s name in his memoryas there was no precedent for this sort of thing.”We had to deal with this in a responsible and sombre manner and we obviouslytook the view of the England team into account – Ben’s Surrey team-matesMark Butcher and Graham Thorpe were batting in the morning session and wereunaware of the tragedy.”In the end we thought of what we would have wanted if we were Ben Hollioakeand we decided to sing his name, but not until after the tea interval wheneveryone – including the England team – knew.”It’s something that has happened in football. When West Brom legend GeoffAstle died recently, all the Albion fans chanted his name at the next game.”In fact I’m told this has been happening at most Albion games since, showingjust how much he meant to them.”Perhaps this is something that might happen at future England cricket matchesto remember Ben – I don’t know.”We hope it didn’t put the players off.”In the press conference afterwards Nasser said it was particularly difficultfor them fielding when Ben’s name was song.”However I think he meant that this just brought home to the team just howmuch Ben meant to everyone.”I know that when the England and New Zealand teams held a minute’s silencein memory of Ben before the start of the fourth day’s play it was one immaculatelyobserved by everyone on the ground.”All our thoughts are with Ben’s family at this terrible time.”I hope we never have to deal with anything like this again.”The term tragedy is often overused nowadays, but the snuffing out of sucha bright shining light as Ben at such a young age is surely one event towhich the word can be justifiably applied.Ben had a gifted talent and was a natural athlete with more than rare abilityat several other sports as well as cricket for which he will always be remembered.A larger than life character off the field – he was a young man who livedlife to the full.In years to come the death of Ben may be placed alongside the sad loss ofJames Dean, River Phoenix and, in a sporting context, Duncan Edwards – naturaltalents who died before achieving their peak.We will never know just what Ben’s prodigious talents – yet to fully blossombut already given a brief and all too short airing in the public eye – wouldhave allowed him to go on and achieve in the game.Farewell Ben – there will be thousands of us will remember you and yourprecocious and often stunning talent.