Ben Hollioake - on Test debut in 1997 Photo Paul McGregor

Ben Hollioake's death at the age of 24 robs Surrey and England of an all-rounder who was showing signs of doing fuller justice to his enormous potential.

Hollioake was marked out as a potential superstar at the age of just 19, when he scored a rapid 63 for England against Australia in the third ODI in 1997. He followed this with 98 in his next match at Lord's, the B&H final, which won him the Man of the Match award. It came as no surprise when he was voted Young Cricketer of the Year by the Cricket Writers' Club.

Such was the impression made upon the England selectors that Ben, along with brother Adam, was included in the England team for the fifth Test against Australia at Nottingham in 1997. It was the only time two brothers made their Test debuts together in the 20th century. At 19, Ben was the youngest England debutant since Brian Close in 1949.

Such exciting potential took time to develop, and by the start of the 2001 season Hollioake had still only played in two Tests and seven ODIs. He was recalled for the NatWest Triangular Tournament against Pakistan and Australia, and although he ended the series wicketless, he impressed with the bat on two occasions. He made an unbeaten 37 against Australia at Bristol, contributing to a rapid end-of-innings stand of 70 with Owais Shah, and a mature 53 in an otherwise forgettable England batting performance against Pakistan at Headingley. He went on the short tour of Zimbabwe last October, and played in the one-day series in India in the New Year. After that, a knee injury kept him out of the New Zealand series.

Hollioake's exploits for Surrey will leave saddening, but heart-warming memories for many supporters. On hearing of his death, one remembered three sixes in an afternoon at The Oval, one of which broke tiles on the roof of the Apollo pub over the road. Hollioake opening the bowling with Alex Tudor, pitching full of length and swinging the ball both ways. Hollioake in partnership with Ali Brown, the two outdoing each other with drives. Hollioake diving at point, just failing to take a catch scarcely five yards from the batsman after covering twice the distance to attempt it. And last summer, practicing with his brother during a rain break, and thinking, yes, he's putting in the work that will make him the best all-rounder in England since Botham.

Fleeting glimpses of a tragically shortened career.

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