Matthew Hobden: Death of cricketer, 22, investigated by police

Matthew Hobden's death is currently being treated as "unexplained"

The death of Sussex cricketer Matthew Hobden at the age of 22 is being investigated by police.

Hobden was found dead in a private property to the west of Forres on the Moray coast near Inverness on Saturday, a Police Scotland spokesman said.

His death is currently being treated as "unexplained" and there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances, he added.

A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal, Scotland's public prosecutor.

• Tributes to 'gentle giant' Hobden

England cricketers wore black armbands as a mark of respect on Sunday, on day two of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Ben Stokes wore a black armband as he hit England's fastest double century, the second fastest in history, on Sunday

Seam bowler Hobden was regarded as a potential future international and made his final appearance in a one-day match against Essex last August.

He made his first-class debut in 2014 and represented Sussex in all formats of the game.

The club announced his death in a statement on Saturday, in which they paid tribute to an "exciting young cricketer with a big future ahead of him in the game".

Team-mates and England players past and present took to social media to express their shock at his death.

Former Sussex and England wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior tweeted: "A great guy with a huge future taken far too soon".

Described as a "gentle giant" by his amateur club captain Jeremy Green, Hobden was known as "BMH" or "Big Matt Hobden".

Green, of local league side Preston Nomads, said his former team-mate "was a larger-than-life guy on and off the field".

"It's been a massive shock," he added. "You just think, someone like that... his passing is unbelievably hard to take."

England's lead fast bowling coach Kevin Shine said Hobden's "potential was huge", adding: "I'm certain that he would have played for England".

Hobden joined Preston Nomads in 2012 and helped them win the Sussex Premier League title that season.

Within two years, he had signed a professional contract with Sussex.

He attended Millfield School in Somerset and Eastbourne College, before studying business economics at Cardiff Metropolitan University.