Sussex are planning a lasting tribute to Matt Hobden following his tragic death earlier this month.

The county are considering a number of ways to commemorate the 22-year-old from Eastbourne who died in Scotland while on holiday.

One option is to retire Hobden’s shirt number (No.19) as they did when all-rounder Umer Rashid drowned on a pre-season tour to Grenada in 2002 but chief executive Zac Toumazi says a final decision will only be made after discussions with Hobden’s family.

Toumazi said: “We’ve been in constant contact with Matt’s family and we are trying to support them the best we can. Words are fairly meaningless at times like these but we just want to be there to help them through it in whatever way possible.

“We will, of course, be doing something to remember Matt and are looking at various things. We are in discussions with the family and have got to be guided by their wishes.

“It only happened less than two weeks ago and there is no appetite to decide yet.

“It has been very tough for everyone. We are trying to come to terms with it but it has been extremely difficult. It has affected different people in different ways but the overall feeling has been one of a sense of loss and emptiness.

“We are all hurting badly but out hearts go out to Matt’s family.

“They have been remarkably strong. God knows how they are dealing with it.”

The Sussex players who are not currently overseas returned to pre-season training this week after being given time off by head coach Mark Davis in the immediate aftermath of Hobden’s shock death.

Toumazi – who described Hobden as “one of the nicest people you could wish to meet as long as you weren’t facing him on a cricket pitch – admits that everyone at Hove has been hit hard by the loss of such a popular character but hopes that the pain will ease over time.

“It has affected different people in different ways,” added Toumazi. “Some are very quiet and reflective and others are desperate to get back to some kind of normality and get on with their jobs.

“Clearly the players knew him better than anyone and it has hit them hardest. They are back in training and trying to get on with what they do best.

“Of course, we are feeling the loss badly now but I think the start of the season will be symbolic. When the players step out onto the pitch and Matt is not there it will bring it home.

“In the winter things are fragmented as a lot of the players are overseas.

“I expect the guys will be hurting for a long time and the place will feel empty for a long time but Matt will live on through his memory and we will find a different type of normal. As anyone who has lost somebody important to them knows you have no choice but to get on with things.

“It was similar to when we lost Umer.

“It was a difficult time but the club will continue.”