Cricket: Peter Roebuck dies aged 55

Peter Roebuck died at his hotel in Cape Town, where he was covering the current test series between Australia and South Africa. Photo / Supplied

Former English county cricket captain and respected commentator and journalist Peter Roebuck has died aged 55.

Roebuck died at his hotel in Newlands, Cape Town where he was covering the current Test series between Australia and South Africa.

Roebuck skippered Somerset in the 1980s before beginning a long media career, primarily working for Fairfax and the ABC.

Fairfax reported that Roebuck was spoken to by police earlier on Saturday before his death.

The manager of ABC Grandstand, Craig Norenbergs, praised Roebuck for his work in broadcasting and reporting cricket.

"Incredibly sad news. He was an integral part of the Grandstand commentary team apart from being a magnificent print journalist,'' said Norenbergs.

"For us he could describe a game of cricket in such a way that even if you didn't like the game, you liked the way that he went about his business.''

Roebuck's managing editor at Fairfax newspaper the Sydney Morning Herald, Ian Fuge, said it was a sad loss.

"A devastating blow to all at the Sydney Morning Herald both professionally and personally,'' Fuge said.

"Peter was a wonderful writer who was the bard of summer for cricket-loving Australians.

"He was an extraordinary bloke who will be sorely missed.''

Roebuck would regularly travel with the Australian cricket team and split the rest of his year living between Sydney and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Born in England, Roebuck had a fine cricket career before pursuing media interests.

He made his first class debut for Somerset in 1974 and played 335 four-day matches and 298 county one day games.

He scored 33 first-class centuries and passed 1000 runs nine times in 12 seasons of country cricket.

Another publisher of Roebuck's work, espncricinfo.com, published these tributes:

"My God. Just heard about Peter Roebuck. Loved working with him. Incisive. Erudite. Funny,'' said former England bowler and BBC correspondent Jonathan Agnew.

John Stern, former editor of The Wisden Cricketer, said: "Shocking and sad news about Peter Roebuck. One of the two or three best writers on cricket in the world."

Lawrence Booth, editor of the Wisden Almanack said: "Cricket has lost one hell of an intellect and a bloke who cared deeply about the game. I always read Peter Roebuck with complete admiration.''

-AAP