Police find tragic cricketer’s kit

Police have recovered some of the late Ben Hollioake’s England cricket equipment stolen by burglars from his parents’ home.

Hollioake’s brother Adam spoke yesterday of the crime which robbed him and his parents of treasured items associated with Ben’s tragically short international career.

Melbourne-born Hollioake, who died in a car crash in Perth at the age of 24 in 2002, won two Test caps and 20 in one-day internationals for England.

His brother, also a former England player, broke the news on Twitter of the burglary last night at the Hollioakes’ family home in Perth on Monday.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, and current Test players Kevin Pietersen and James Anderson, were soon among those calling – again via Twitter – for all best efforts to be made to recover the property and catch the criminals.

Hollioake’s England contemporary, and subsequent Ashes-winning captain, Vaughan wrote: “Please help find the idiots who have broken into @adamhollioake parents’ house and stolen Ben’s England possessions.” Adam Hollioake, a team-mate of his brother’s for several years at Surrey, listed ODI shirts, Test and ODI helmets as well as bats, boots and a county blazer among the property stolen.

Vaughan and others then urged all in Australia and elsewhere to be vigilant in case any of the personal items should appear for sale online or otherwise.

Perhaps as a result of those pleas, Western Australia police have reportedly since executed a search warrant and recovered some of the kit. But Adam Hollioake later made it clear that much is still unaccounted for.

“Guys, WA Police have done a great job and recovered half a bag of kit. Still a lot missing including his playing shirts,” he tweeted.