Flashback: 27th November 2014

27^th November 2014 – The Darkest Day for Cricket. 

The day when the smiling assassin, Phillip Hughes, passed at the age of 25, two days after being struck on the top of the neck by a ball during a domestic match in Sydney. The youngster who was batting on 63 was hit by a delivery from bowler Sean Abbott.

Talking about this champ’s early life, Hughesy was an immensely talented bloke proudly representing his hometown, Macksville. He was compared to the all-time great Sir Donald Bradman as his abilities and scores posed a serious threat to Sir Donald’s records. He was often cosidered as the one who will go into the history books as one of the best cricketer with incredible high scores. In his only second Test, he became the youngest player to register 2 centuries in a single Test. There were only few players in the game who played cut shot better than him. Cut shot was basically his symbol and trump card.

Phillips Hughes, batting for South Australia, collapsed on the ground, face first after 

being hit by a bouncer from  year old Sean Abbot. Hughes was wearing a helmet which was designed in 2013, instead that of 2014 which had special protection near the neck area where exactly Hughes was hit.

Hughes had mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at the ground before leaving for the hospital which was a kilometre away. After being taken to the hospital, an immediate operation was done which lasted for 90 minutes, to relive the pressure on his brain.

Prayers were flooding in for Hughesy, indicating that Hughes is a strong fighter and he will certainly pass this test too. But maybe, Gods were in need of an angel who had a cheeky grin and the twinkle in his eye.

After being operated, the doctors explained that they will keep him in ICU under observation for 24-48 hours. But then, 2 days later, the statement from Cricket Australia arrived.

James Sutherland announced:

“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. As a cricket community, we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time. Cricket Australia kindly asks that the privacy of the Hughes family, players and staff be respected.”

Later, Peter Brukner, the Australian team doctor explained that Hughes died as a result of “vertebral artery dissection”.

This news left everyone in shock and tears. The Australian flag at Sydney Cricket 

Ground and Melbourne Cricket Ground was lowered to half-mast. Everyone began to express their deepest condolences through media, while Pakistan Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket Board decided to have “no play” for their on-going test match on that day.

If he was still here, he would have gone on to break numerous records and would have had “Legend” added as a prefix to his name for sure.

Two of the renowned authors Peter Lalor and Malcolm Knox have written a biography of Hughes covering his entire life with incidents from early childhood.

Phillip Hughes: The Official Biography is the incredible story of the boy from Macksville who became the 408th Australian Test cricketer. It charts the folkloric rise of the banana grower’s son with the axe-handle batting technique, reliving his adventures on and off the field and celebrating his many triumphs and travails. It also pays a tribute to the fighting spirit and gift for friendship that made this unique young man a hero to millions.