Team management will allow any England player to leave the New Zealand cricket tour to attend the funeral of one-day team-mate Ben Hollioake on Thursday. Hollioake, 24, was killed in a car accident in Perth, Australia, on Saturday when the car he was driving spun out of control as he came off a freeway.
The devastated England players wore black arm-bands in respect and flags were lowered to half-mast in respect to Hollioake, who was with the team for the recent one-day series against the Kiwis.
A minute's silence was observed before the fourth day's play on Sunday. Hollioake had three Surrey team-mates in the England team- Mark Butcher, Graham Thorpe and Mark Ramprakash - while it is understood former England captain Alec Stewart is heading to Perth for the funeral service.
The final test match against the Kiwis does not get under way in Auckland until Easter Saturday, allowing plenty of time for any player who wish to make the long trip to Perth and back to New Zealand.
Bureau Report