KENT’S England all-rounder Mark Ealham led the county’s tributes to Surrey international cricketer Ben Hollioake who died in a car crash in Western Australia on Friday.

Ealham, who described the 24-year-old Melbourne-born player as "everyone’s friend", twice went on England A tours with Hollioake and last toured with him in November at the Hong Kong sixes tournament.

“He was one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet,” said Ealham. “Because of the way he strutted around on the field I know to some members of the public he came across as slightly arrogant, but when you knew him he wasn’t like that at all. It was just his persona of confidence and energy.”

Ealham watched from the Lord’s dressing room in 1997 when Hollioake made a stunning 63 on his one-day international debut against his native Australia and knew then he like what he saw. We could all see from that one innings that this was a special talent,” he said. He was an unbelievable athlete, even in fielding practice, no other member of the England squad could get near him.

“He has natural ability and agility, whereas his brother Adam had the determination and the will that some believe Ben lacked. He did perhaps underachieve for a couple of seasons after bursting onto the scene, but there were signs in New Zealand that he was bouncing back to form.”

Hollioake was killed at the wheel of his Porsche on Friday evening following an accident on the Mill Point Road in South Perth. His 22-year-old girlfriend of four years, Janaya Scholten, was also seriously hurt in the crash that was witnessed by Hollioake’s sister Eboni.

“He was so proud of his new car,” added Ealham, a fellow car fanatic and former Porsche driver. It was his pride and it was heartbreaking to see the news footage and see the thing all in pieces. You meet a lot of people in cricket, but I felt happy to number Ben among my friends and all the people whose lives he brushed will be feeling the same sadness this week.”

A memorial service will be held in Australia on Wednesday followed by a funeral service on Thursday.

Hollioake’s county club, Surrey, have also dedicated the forthcoming domestic season in memory of their player.