Former Test opener Hibbert dies at 56

Paul Hibbert, the opening batsman who played one Test for Australia in 1977-78, has been found dead in his Melbourne home. Hibbert, 56, was reportedly found by police in his loungeroom after a relative became concerned at not having heard from him for more than a week.

A watchful left-hand batsman, Hibbert was part of the Victoria side for a decade and he finished his first-class career with 4790 runs at 38.62. He was named for the Gabba Test against India in December 1977 and made 13 from 77 balls in the first innings and 2 in the second. "He was a bit unlucky to make his debut on a greentop at the Gabba," former Victoria captain Ray Bright said. "If it had been a flat deck at Adelaide, who knows how he would have gone? It's all a matter of opportunity.

His son Daniel said an autopsy had showed that Hibbert had suffered an internal haemorrhage, possibly related to alcoholism. He was believed to have also been suffering from depression.

His call-up came after he made a remarkably defensive century against the Indians in their tour match in Melbourne. Hibbert became only the second batsman to score a hundred without managing a boundary. Hibbert was also a useful left-arm medium-pace bowler and he collected 15 first-class wickets.