Peter Roebuck found dead in South African hotel room

Former Somerset cricketer Peter Roebuck has been found dead in a hotel room in South Africa.

It is not known how the 55-year-old died.

Roebuck, who had been working as a journalist for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Age, was in South Africa covering Australia's current tour.

It has been reported that police spoke to Roebuck earlier in the day.

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

"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."

The batsman, who retired in 1991, was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1988.