Good and bad news

By David Slater
March 22 2002

Friday 22nd of March brought good and bad news for London cricket fans, Surrey's Ben Hollioake was killed in a car crash whilst Aussies Steve Nikitaras (Paceman, 1 year) and Ashley Noffke (Fast Bowler, 5 weeks) signed for Middlesex.

BEN HOLLIOAKE KILLED IN CAR CRASH.

The world of Cricket was left stunned on Firday when the tragic news from Perth was announced. Ben, 24, was driving to his parent's house in Perth, Western Australia, when his Porsche 924 spun and crashed into a brick wall. Ben was killed instantly whilst his girlfriend Janaya Scholten, 22, is still in intensive care.

Ben played 20 one day internationals and two test for England. He had played for Surrey since 1996 but was rumoured to be joining Middlesex a year ago in a swap with Mark Ramprakash.

If you have any messages of condolence for the Hollioake family please post a message on the message board and your messages will be forwarded to the Hollioake family.


MIDDLESEX ANNOUNCE NEW SIGNINGS.

Noffke will join the team for the first five weeks of the season, subject to confirmation by the Australian Cricket Board, to act as cover for Abdur Razzaq whilst he is in action for Pakistan.

Uncapped Noffke plays for the Queensland state team and was part of the Aussies touring party during the Ashes last year.

Meanwhile, 31-year-old left-arm paceman Steve Nikitaras on a one-year contract. he has played first-class cricket for New South Wales and Western Australia

Nikitaras impressed a couple of Middlesex players who faced him playing for clubs teams in Australia during the winter.

This will mean that a total of five non-English players will play for Middlesex this year. South African Sven Koenig having already joined the county on an Italian passport and Ed Joyce is an Irish One-Day international.