Peter Roebuck, former Somerset captain, dies at 55 (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Peter Roebuck, former Somerset captain, dies at 55

8:26am Monday 14th November 2011 in Somerset CCC

FORMER Somerset captain Peter Roebuck has died following a fall from a sixth floor hotel room in South Africa. He was 55.

Roebuck, an opening batsman, played for Somerset from 1974 to 1991.

After retiring he became a respected writer and broadcaster in Australia renowned for his strong opinions.

South African police said Roebuck had taken his own life and are investigating the full circumstances surrounding his death.

The Sydney Morning Herald, who Roebuck had written for since 1984, reported that he fell to his death from a hotel window on Saturday night after being questioned by police.

Roebuck had been working for the Herald and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in South Africa. He also wrote for The Age and the Cricinfo website.

At Taunton Crown Court in 2001, Roebuck pleaded guilty to common assault against three 19-year-old South African cricketers who had been staying at his home. He was given a suspended jail sentence.