The cricket family stood still as the news of Phil Hughes’ tragic death broke this morning.
After being hit by a bouncer in a match for South Australia the left-handed opener collapsed to the floor, never to regain consciousness. Tributes and condolences have flooded in for Hughes who represented Australia in 26 Tests and 25 One-Day Internationals.
His presence at the crease was unique and at the age of just 25, Hughes undoubtedly had so much more to give to his time as a professional cricketer. Thoughts are also with bowler Sean Abbot, who was responsible for delivering the bouncer which hit Hughes at the top of the neck.
A 90-minute operation was unable to save his life and the world of cricket has today lost one of its most talented players to a freak accident, but was it one which could have been avoided? Attention will now turn to the helmet which Hughes was wearing at the time he was hit, with the manufacturers Masuri saying earlier this week that he was wearing an outdated version.
Masuri have also said that helmets are constantly being developed and reworked to help protect players, but after this tragic loss, calls for more stringent protection will certainly follow. For now though our thoughts and sympathies rest firmly with Hughes’ family, friends and former teammates.
Hughes was no stranger to the English game, representing Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire. I can personally recall a particular innings for Worcestershire in 2012 where Hughes and Vikram Solanki both scored hundreds in a CB40 game.
In this innings he demonstrated many of the qualities which made him a unique player, one with strong wrists and a fondness for hitting the ball through mid-wicket.
Perhaps the saddest element to this story is that Hughes would have been 26 this coming Sunday and what should have a been celebration has now turned into one of the greatest tragedies the sport has ever seen.
Rest in Peace, Phil.
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