Young Australian cricketer Phil Hughes succumbed to his brain injury and died at the age of 25. He was struck on his head by a bouncer from a fast bowler while playing a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG on Tuesday. He fought for his life for two days but lost the battle on Thursday. He was in a state of induced coma in an attempt to reduce pressure on his brain. News of demise of this talented batsman spread like wildfire sending the entire cricket fraternity around the globe into a gloom.
Michael Clark was unable to control his emotions
Confirming the sad demise of Phil Hughes, team doctor Peter Buckner said, “It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away. He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday. He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends. Captain of Australian cricket team, Michael Clarke, who was a close friend of Phil Hughes, spent the whole night of Wednesday at the hospital. Clarke was fighting his tears when he read a statement from Phil’s family. A conference was arranged by Cricket Australia at St. Vincent Hospital where Michael Clark read the statement on behalf of Phil’s family.
He read a statement on behalf of Phil’s family
“We’re devastated by the loss of our much-loved son and brother Phillip,” he said. “It’s been a very difficult few days, we appreciate all the support we have received from family, friends, players, Cricket Australia and the general public.
“Cricket was Phillip’s life and we as a family shared that love of the game with him. We would like to thank all the medical and nursing staff at St Vincent’s Hospital and Cricket New South Wales medical staff for their great efforts with Phillip.
“We love you.” After reading this statement from CA, Michael Clarke, unable to keep control of his emotions, stood up and left the room without saying a word. All the cricketers and cricket fans that were present in the hospital became emotional and inconsolable as they left the hospital.
Sean Abbott, the fast bowler who delivered that fateful delivery that struck Phil Hughes, was also present at the hospital. He is a devastated man today as he mourns the loss of a friend and fellow cricketer.
Cricket Australia Chief, James Sutherland read out a message after Michael Clarke. “This freak accident is now real life tragedy … Our grief runs deep and the impact of Phillip’s loss is enormous.
“Phil has been taken away from us too soon,” Sutherland said. Jim Maxwell, chief cricket commentator of ABC said, ‘This is one of the worst days in Australian sport.’
There is pall and gloom among the cricketing fraternity around the world and tweets and condolences are pouring in. Australian media and players have called for cancellation of the first test in which Phil Hughes was supposed to play against the visiting Indian team.
About Sanjay Tandon
Sanjay Tandon is a graduate engineer from IIT Varanasi. He has been writing as a freelancer for many years. He loves to write on various niches. He is passionate about politics and economy and spends his free time watching news channels. He is also an expert on relationships.