The former England and Yorkshire wicketkeeper, David Bairstow, has been found dead.

The 46-year-old was discovered at his home at Marton cum Grafton in North Yorkshire. The police say there are no suspicious circumstances.

A North Yorkshire police spokesman said: "Mr Bairstow was found hanging at his home. He was found by a member of his family."

An inquest into his death was opened in Harrogate on Tuesday.

David Bairstow was one of the most well-known and well-liked Yorkshire cricketers of the modern era.

He played more than 400 times for his county in a first class career lasting 20 years, scoring almost 13,000 runs, taking 907 catches, and also captaining them for a spell in the 1980s, when he also played Test cricket for England.

Since his retirement in 1990 he had been running a sports merchandise business and working for the media, including the BBC, as a cricket expert.

David Bairstow was married and leaves three children, one by a previous marriage.

Former friends and colleagues have been shocked by the news of his death.

Former Yorkshire and England fast bowler Fred Trueman said he would remember David Bairstow as a "jovial" man who loved life.

"I am still shocked, I can't believe it," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He was always positive, jovial, liked a story, liked his golf, always looking for work - he was not a shirker in any way."

Former Yorkshire captain Martyn Moxon

Former team mate and Yorkshire captain, Martyn Moxon, said: "He was a great competitor for many years for both club and country.

"Always a great character within the dressing room - a larger than life character.

Martyn Moxon pays tribute to David Bairstow (0'39")

"He wanted everyone to be up and at them. He was fully into the cause.

"Everyone at the club is in disbelief and shock."
 

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