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Aussie cricketer Phil Hughes passes away

Aussie cricketer Phil Hughes passes away

India Blooms News Service | | 27 Nov 2014, 10:27 pm
Sydney, Nov 27 (IBNS): Curtains came down unexpectedly on the life of Australian Test batsman Philip Hughes, who demised on Thursday after staying in induced coma for two days, after being hit by a bouncer in the head during a domestic match.

In a tragic loss to the game's fraternity, Australian Test cricketer Phillip Hughes died in 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.

He was 25.

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.

A Cricket Australia statement said that Phillip Hughes never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday.

"It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away," Dr Brukner's statement read.

"He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends. As a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip's family and friends at this incredibly sad time," the statement said.

Hughes made his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in February-March 2009 at the age of 20. 

The southpaw played 26 Tests, scoring 1535 runs, studded with three centuries and seven fifties. With a top score of 160 versus South Africa at Durban, Hughes has a modest Test average of 32.65.

Hughes made it to history books when became the youngest cricketer ever to score back-to-back centuries in a Test match at Kingsmead against South Africa. He is the only Australian to score a century on ODI debut.

The MCC flag at Lord's has been kept lowered on Thursday in respect. Hughes had a successful stint at Lord's for Middlesex in 2009 and is remembered fondly by those who he befriended during that time.

He made headlines recently, since he was highly tipped to replace injured Aussie captain Michael Clarke in the test squad against India.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott led the tribute for the departed soul.

"His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family. What happened has touched millions of Australians. For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration. He was loved, admired and respected by his team mates and by legions of cricket fans," Abbott said in a statement.

International Cricket Council Chairman Narayanaswami Srinivasan said followers of the sport were "shocked and saddened."

"On behalf of the entire cricket community, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends," Srinivasan said in a statement.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said Hughes was immensely talented and dearly loved: "Without doubt, he was a rising star whose best cricket was still ahead of him."

The Pakistan and New Zealand cricket boards called off the second day of their deciding test match in the United Arab Emirates as a mark of respect.

"Pakistan's cricketing fraternity is saddened by Hughes' passing away, all our thoughts and prayers are with Phil and his family."

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said many people were feeling pain because "cricket is a family."

India's tour match against Cricket Australia in Adelaide, starting on Friday, has been called off as a mark of respect to Hughes.

There are doubts over the first Test scheduled to start in Brisbane on December 4.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India, whose team is currently touring Australia, tweeted its condolences for Hughes' family.

"The touring Indian team joins the cricketing fraternity across the world in offering condolences to the family of Phillip Hughes, who has departed from our midst," the statement said.

"In this moment of grief, we pray that they are bestowed with divine strength to overcome this unfortunate tragedy."

"As fellow cricketers we cherish the memories of playing along with him and deeply respect his contribution to the game of cricket."

It may be recalled that Phillip Hughes (25 years and 362 days) is the second youngest Australian cricketer to die after Archie Jackson, who passed away at the age of 23 years and 164 days.

Hughes was part of the Mumbai Indians team in the Indian Premier League.

Sachin Tendulkar said Thursday calling it a "sad day for cricket", who played alongside the 25-year-old Hughes in the IPL.

The Daily Telegraph in Australia says farewell and retires Friday's back page as a touching tribute to Hughes with the words 'Vale Phillip Hughes'.

 

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