R. I. P. Peter Roebuck

[TheFasterBlade]

Arguably the best commentator out there (with Aggers).

 

[Dylan]

This is sad. I expect he will be remembered more in England for his big fall-out at Somerset with Botham and Richards. Shame.

 

[Judge Jules]

Good grief. He can't be much older than me, if at all.

Peter Roebuck RIP.

 

[Wizardry]

This has got to be a different commentator to the Peter Roebuck I know.


RIP all the same.

 

[kingjulian]

I have only read that it is a suicide. I have no idea what made him choose to end his life, but let us indeed hope he rests in peace.

 

[ricobats]

SOUTH African police have launched an inquest into the death of Peter Roebuck after the esteemed cricket journalist plunged six stories to his death from a Cape Town hotel room.

Cape Town police captain Frederick van Wyk confirmed Roebuck, 55, died about 9.15pm on Saturday.

It is understood he had been spoken to by Cape Town police, who were reportedly investigating sexual assault claims.

In 2001, the former Somerset captain was given a suspended jail sentence after admitting caning three young cricketers he had offered to coach.

Asked if Roebuck had been interviewed about sexual assault allegations, Mr van Wyk said: ''I cannot comment on that. We are investigating the death. I have nothing more to say."

Roebuck was staying at the Southern Sun Hotel Newlands in Claremont, Cape Town, where he had been covering the first Test.

He arrived back at the hotel after dinner with a friend and was last seen being spoken to by police.


The Herald Sun has learnt Roebuck jumped out of a window while police were still in his room.

He landed on the awning outside the entrance to the hotel.

A source told the Herald Sun: "The police came to his room and wanted to speak to him. I'm told he was being questioned for sexual assault." ABC radio commentator Jim Maxwell is expected to give a statement to Cape Town police today.

A shocked Maxwell said there had been no suggestion the respected writer was contemplating taking his life.

"Things happen. As far as I could see ... there wasn't a problem.

"He's one of the outstanding writers on the game of cricket. He was a person who had a great sense of humanity," he said.

"We've lost a wonderful friend and supporter."

In 2001, Roebuck, of Exmouth in Devon, pleaded guilty at Taunton Crown Court to three charges of common assault.

He was jailed for four months on each count, but the sentences were suspended for two years.

Roebuck was seen to be in good spirits all week at the Newlands during the Test.

He was seen having breakfast with the fiancee of an African youth he had helped put through university.

It is understood Roebuck has spent more than $100,000 putting Africans through high school and university.

 

[Rosco]

he journalist and former Somerset cricketer Peter Roebuck has been found dead at a hotel in Newlands in Cape Town. A spokesman for the South African Police in Western Cape Province, Captain Frederik van Wyk, confirmed that a British citizen had killed himself, with reports suggesting Roebuck leaped to his death from his room on the sixth floor of the Southern Sun Hotel.

"I can confirm that this incident took place at 9.15pm on Saturday," he said. "A 55-year-old British citizen was found dead in a hotel in Newlands, Cape Town. He was working as a cricket commentator for an Australian publication. He committed suicide. An inquest docket has been opened for investigation. I cannot say more at this moment."

Roebuck, who was 55 and played alongside Sir Ian Botham and Sir Viv Richards at Somerset, had built a reputation as an acute observer of the game since retiring from playing in 1991, and wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Age. He also worked as a broadcaster for ABC radio and had been covering Australia's tour of South Africa.

According to a report on the Herald's website, Roebuck "appeared to be in a disturbed state last night" after being spoken to by police, who had removed personal items from his room. Ian Fuge, the Herald's managing editor of sport described his colleague's death as "a devastating blow to all at the Sydney Morning Herald, both professionally and personally," describing Roebuck as "a wonderful writer who was the bard of summer for cricket-loving Australians."

 

[5euros]

the guy was a bloody oddball who liked canning boys on the ass

 

[Judge Jules]

Whatever, he clearly died in great distress. Have some respect for the dead even if not for what they did.

 

[Rosco]

Peter Roebuck fell to his death from his Cape Town hotel room while being questioned by police about an alleged sexual assault, it has been reported. A police statement said the circumstances surrounding Roebuck's suicide were being investigated.

 

[5euros]

im from somerset and it was quite well known about Roebucks behaviour, always had an interest in young boys

and Trescothick stopped touring because his wife kept bed hopping

 

[kingjulian]

I had a lot of time for time for Trescothick's batting. On form, he would defi strengthen the current England team. Cook and Trescothick would be a super strong opening pair.


I think Tresco and England would have both been better if he just divorced, if what you say is true.

 

[5euros]

it is true julian, it was common knowledge down here, i even asked keith parsons about it, he used to live next door to me

 

[Ryan]

He was a fucking brilliant writer. I looked out for his pieces in The Age every day.

Anyway, word has it this was something to do with some kids school he befriended and funded in SA.

 

[gkmacca]

A good writer, profoundly screwed up by his closetted sexuality. What is it about cricketers and suicide? The rate is much higher than for other sports. David Frith even wrote a book about the phenomenon a few years ago.

 

[Y1]

Perhaps the long hours of boring fielding with not much to do except to stop for tea and lunch turn them into zombie and then the long hours of waiting to pad up to bat... it takes a toll on the mind, mind you.