Sombre England squad pay tribute to Hollioake

England's players and management held a private memorial service on Thursday for team mate Ben Hollioake, who was killed in a car accident in Perth, Western Australia last week.

The tribute, which coincided with a memorial service being held for Hollioake in Perth, took place at the picturesque Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Gardens at suburban Bastion Point, overlooking Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

The England players hold a Memorial service in memory of the Late Ben Hollioake at the Bastion Point Memorial gardens, Auckland, New Zealand.

England media manager Andy Walpole said Hollioake's Surrey team mate Mark Butcher, an accomplished singer and guitarist, sang the Bob Marley song Redemption and team manager Phil Neale said a prayer of thanks for Ben's life.

"It was a sombre occasion but very dignified," Walpole said. "The weather was wonderful and the setting was lovely. It was very fitting."

The gardens are named after Michael Savage, the New Zealand Prime Minister between 1935-40.

Captain Nasser Hussain was representing the England team at the Perth memorial service.

He is due to return to Auckland early on Friday morning to prepare for the third and final Test against New Zealand beginning on Saturday. England lead the series 1-0.

Australian-born all-rounder Hollioake, 24, played in two Tests and 20 one-day internationals for England.

Mail Cricket Editor