February 17, 2026 06:53 pm (IST)
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Phil Hughes was a brother I never had: Michael Clarke
Sydney, Nov 30 (IBNS): As the curtains came down shockingly on the life of Australian Test batsman Philip Hughes, the cricketer received a heart-rendering tribute from team's captain Michael Clarke on his 26th birth anniversary on Sunday.
In a tragic loss to the game's fraternity, Australian Test cricketer Phillip Hughes died in a Sydney hospital on Thursday. He was in coma for two days following a head injury sustained while playing in a Sheffield Shield game in Sydney against New South Wales.
Paying a tribute to the young cricketer, Clarke wrote in the Sunday Telegraph: "I don't have a blood brother, but I am very proud to have called Phillip my brother. I am a better man for having known him."
"His cricketing achievements - of which there were many - really play second fiddle to the human qualities that he exhibited," he wrote.
"Loyal to a fault, eternally optimistic, kind-hearted, wicked sense of humour, a child-like verve for life... I really could go on and on," he stated.
"As I stood in the centre of the SCG on Thursday night, at the spot where my little brother played his last shot, I struggled to comprehend how this tragedy could happen to one of life's true characters and gentlemen," Clarke wrote.
Hughes was batting on 63 when he was struck in the head by a bouncer from Sean Abbott.
Hughes tried to regain his composure but fell face first to the ground and was taken to the hospital.
Australia's first Test against India, which was due to start on Thursday in Brisbane, has been postponed with no new date yet scheduled.
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