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LONDON, Sunday (Reuters) - England coach Duncan Fletcher has led a flood of tributes for Surrey all-rounder Ben Hollioake, who was killed in a car crash in Perth, Australia in the early hours of Saturday.

"Ben was a hugely-talented young cricketer, a popular member of the side, and he will be greatly missed by everyone in the England dressing room," Fletcher told reporters after the third day's play in England's second test against New Zealand in Wellington.

"He was one of a number of young players that we were looking to take to the (2003) World Cup with the one-day squad next winter and it's tragic that a young life has been lost in this way."

The 24-year-old Hollioake, who made test appearances in August 1997 against Australia and a year later versus Sri Lanka, crashed on Mill Point Road in South Perth and died at the scene.

His sports car spun out of control and hit a brick wall just after midnight Perth time (1600 GMT).

His 22-year-old female passenger received head and chest injuries and was taken to a Perth hospital, where doctors later described her condition as critical.

"The vehicle spun out of control into a brick property fence," Australian Associated Press quoted Inspector Ian Duggan of police in Perth as saying.

Crash inquiry

Inspector Greg Medhurst of the Australia police told Sky Sports television that a crash inquiry unit was investigating the cause of the accident.

Paul Sheldon, Surrey's chief executive, described Hollioake's death as the biggest disaster in the county's history.

"This is devastating news. It's terrible to lose such a supreme talent as Ben's, just as he was beginning to realise his full potential as a cricketer."

"I would have thought this is the worst thing to happen to the county in its 157 years."

Melbourne-born Hollioake, the younger brother of Surrey captain Adam Hollioake, is the second Surrey player to die in a car accident in recent years, following the death of wicketkeeper Graham Kersey near Brisbane in December 1996.

"This is a great loss of someone who was so young and so talented," said England's chairman of selectors David Graveney.

"Everyone will remember the impact Ben made on his one-day international debut at Lord's against Australia (in 1997 when he scored 63)."

Hit hard

"This tragedy will hit Surrey County Cricket Club particularly hard...and my thoughts go to everyone at Surrey and also to Ben's family."

"The game was pretty irrelevant," England captain Nasser Hussain said at the close of the third day's play against New Zealand.

"Cricket is a side issue when you've just lost a friend who only a few weeks ago we were mucking around with, having dinner with and having a laugh with.

"My thoughts and the thoughts of the (England) team are with his family and his brother (Adam)...because he was a bloody good bloke."

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said: "It was a sad day for international cricket in general. A number of our players played youth cricket with Ben Hollioake. He was a wonderful talent and a nice guy."

Hollioake was visiting his parents on holiday after England's one-day internationals in New Zealand.

England were beaten 3-2, but Hollioake did not play due to a knee injury sustained in India during the six-match one-day series which ended in a 3-3 draw.

Another contract

The all-rounder, who had a 75-match first-class career, had just signed another year's contract with Surrey after being courted by Warwickshire and was desperate to get back into the England team before next year's World Cup.

Hollioake was born in Melbourne on November 11, 1977 and made his test debut in the same game as his brother -- in the fifth test against Australia at Nottingham's Trent Bridge.

He was the youngest player to represent England since Brian Close in 1949.

Regarded as more of a one-day specialist, he made his debut in one-day internationals in 1997 scoring 63 at Lord's against Australia in the third match of the series.

He played little until last summer's recall to the England side for the triangular tournament with Pakistan and Australia. He scored 37 not out against Australia and shared a 70-run stand with Owais Shah in 7.2 overs in the game with Pakistan.

Those performances saw him selected to tour Zimbabwe, India and New Zealand as part of England's build-up to the World Cup.

In his first-class career, he scored 2,794 runs at 25.87 and took 126 wickets at 33.45. In 20 one-day internationals, he totalled 309 runs at 20.60 including two 50s. His 63 on debut was his highest score. 

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