England players this morning paid their own tribute to Sussex cricketer Matthew Hobden who has died at the age of 22.

Alastair Cook and his team wore black armbands for day two of the second Test with South Africa.

Hobden’s death was announced by Sussex County Cricket Club last night.

No further details have been released at this stage about the circumstances of his death.

A message on the England cricket team's Facebook page read: "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Matthew Hobden. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and team-mates.

"The England players will wear black armbands during today's play in memory of Matthew."

Hobden had been selected for the Potential England Performance Programme for the last two winters.

Kevin Shine, the ECB’s Lead Fast Bowling Coach, said: “Matt was a young cricketer with huge potential, and he is going to be missed so badly by all the guys.

"He made you smile every time you saw him, because he was so excited to be there and wanted to be the best he could.

"He cared about all the lads on the programme and he would always be pushing them on. He contributed to the group as much as I’ve ever seen a player contribute. All the lads, and the staff, loved him.

“As a player, I remember the first time I saw him just thinking ‘wow’. He was the strongest, most powerful cricketer I’ve ever seen on that programme – up there with elite athletes from different sports. His potential was huge, he was improving rapidly and I’m certain that he would have played for England.

“But for all that, my over-riding memory of Matt will be of his character, he was a wonderful lad. It’s devastating for all who knew him to have lost him so young.”