Gumleaf
November 27th, 2014, 01:24 AM
A ton of fight: Phillip Hughes was a 'fiercely determined' cricketing prodigy
Cricketer Phillip Hughes has died.
Born in Macksville, in regional NSW, Hughes was just three days shy of his 26th birthday.
The left-handed batsman collapsed at the wicket after being struck in the head by a bouncer in the West End Redbacks' Bupa Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The match was abandoned following the incident.
Family and friends rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital to be with Hughes after he was placed into an induced coma.
Among them, Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke, who left Hughes bedside for just a few hours each night.
Shane Watson, Brett Lee, Brad Haddin, Phil Jacques, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Moises Henriques and dozens of other players cut sombre figures as they filtered in and out of hospital, many of them wiping away tears after realising Hughes would never wake up.
Hughes made his state debut at 18 after moving to Sydney from the family banana farm in Macksville.
Playing his first senior game against Tasmania on November 20, 2007 at 18 years and 355 days, Hughes was the youngest NSW debutant since Michael Clarke in 1999.
Hughes had made 26 Test appearances for Australia since his 2009 debut and had racked up an impressive 26 first-class centuries and an average of 46.18.
He was expected to be a contender for a Test position in the upcoming match against India in Brisbane, following reports captain Clarke had been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Hughes made 75 in the second innings of his 2009 Test debut in South Africa. The left-hander followed up in the second Test at Durban with centuries in both innings, amassing some 275 runs at the crease.
But following an impressive state career and his initial international success, the runs dried up. Despite playing 26 Tests Hughes has never secured a regular place in the team.
He remained the Test backup opener and in Wellington in 2010 he finished off the win with 86 off 75 balls.
Following his injury, both Cricket Australia, Cricket NSW and the South Australian Cricket Association extended their thoughts and prayers.
"I think everyone knows and understands the way he plays his cricket. He’s fiercely determined and extremely proud of his achievements,” Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said.
"I guess he’s a quiet achiever, but he has the respect of all of his teammates.
"His welfare is our highest priority. We’re also naturally concerned about all of those involved in today’s game and will be giving them our utmost support."
Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones said Hughes was a popular player.
"Phil grew up in NSW and is a former Blue and is held in the highest regard by his current and former teammates,” he said.
Hughes is survived by his parents Greg and Virginia.
© ninemsn 2014
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/11/27/15/47/phillip-hughes-passes-away-aged-25#XWopLzVbo6xxoXkk.99
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This news has brought me to tears. Very sad.
Cricketer Phillip Hughes has died.
Born in Macksville, in regional NSW, Hughes was just three days shy of his 26th birthday.
The left-handed batsman collapsed at the wicket after being struck in the head by a bouncer in the West End Redbacks' Bupa Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The match was abandoned following the incident.
Family and friends rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital to be with Hughes after he was placed into an induced coma.
Among them, Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke, who left Hughes bedside for just a few hours each night.
Shane Watson, Brett Lee, Brad Haddin, Phil Jacques, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Moises Henriques and dozens of other players cut sombre figures as they filtered in and out of hospital, many of them wiping away tears after realising Hughes would never wake up.
Hughes made his state debut at 18 after moving to Sydney from the family banana farm in Macksville.
Playing his first senior game against Tasmania on November 20, 2007 at 18 years and 355 days, Hughes was the youngest NSW debutant since Michael Clarke in 1999.
Hughes had made 26 Test appearances for Australia since his 2009 debut and had racked up an impressive 26 first-class centuries and an average of 46.18.
He was expected to be a contender for a Test position in the upcoming match against India in Brisbane, following reports captain Clarke had been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Hughes made 75 in the second innings of his 2009 Test debut in South Africa. The left-hander followed up in the second Test at Durban with centuries in both innings, amassing some 275 runs at the crease.
But following an impressive state career and his initial international success, the runs dried up. Despite playing 26 Tests Hughes has never secured a regular place in the team.
He remained the Test backup opener and in Wellington in 2010 he finished off the win with 86 off 75 balls.
Following his injury, both Cricket Australia, Cricket NSW and the South Australian Cricket Association extended their thoughts and prayers.
"I think everyone knows and understands the way he plays his cricket. He’s fiercely determined and extremely proud of his achievements,” Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said.
"I guess he’s a quiet achiever, but he has the respect of all of his teammates.
"His welfare is our highest priority. We’re also naturally concerned about all of those involved in today’s game and will be giving them our utmost support."
Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones said Hughes was a popular player.
"Phil grew up in NSW and is a former Blue and is held in the highest regard by his current and former teammates,” he said.
Hughes is survived by his parents Greg and Virginia.
© ninemsn 2014
Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/11/27/15/47/phillip-hughes-passes-away-aged-25#XWopLzVbo6xxoXkk.99
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This news has brought me to tears. Very sad.