Tributes pour in for cricketer Phil Hughes

Australian cricketer Phil Hughes has died at the age of 25. Picture: Getty

Hughes died on Thursday, two days after being struck on the head by a bouncer while batting for South Australia against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

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David Warner, who was playing in the match and raced to help his stricken friend, was one of a number of players who visited Hughes at St Vincent’s Hospital where he was being treated. He was in tears as he left the hospital.

The pair were team-mates for five years at New South Wales and also in the national set-up and Warner posted a picture of them together on Twitter, wearing the Baggy Green with their arms round each other.

He wrote: “Brothers in arms, RIP mate. I will always walk out there forever knowing your by my side. Love you BRAZ!!”

In a second message, together with a picture of the two in training, he added: “RIP my little man. You will always be with me when I walk out onto the field. Not just a mate but a loved one to us all big man. Forever in my heart brother for life. Miss you buddy.”

An ashen-faced Australia captain Michael Clarke said in a statement on behalf of the Hughes family: “We’re devastated by the loss of our much-loved son and brother Phillip. Cricket was Phillip’s life, and we as a family shared that love of the game with him. We love you.”

Australia batsman Steve Smith said on Twitter: “Rest in peace Hughesy. I am really going to miss you. You were 1 of the great blokes and I will never forget you. #408 will live on forever.”

Hughes was the 408th man to play Test cricket for Australia.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann tweeted: “RIP you little champ, we are all going to miss you!”

Jason Gillespie, the Yorkshire coach and former Australia fast bowler, said on Twitter he was “shaking” at the news.

Australia great Shane Warne described the news of Hughes’ death as “shocking”, “horrific and very, very sad”.

He added on Sky Sports News: “It’s a sad situation that a great young man who had the world at his feet is no longer with us.

“We all love the entertainment sport gives us so to see something like this...it is something that should never happen.

“I worked closely with the Australia team in March and saw how hard he worked. He loved the game and was very passionate. He was a really good man, he was one of the good guys.”

The ball which struck Hughes was bowled by Sean Abbott and Warne offered his support to the bowler too.

“It’s important for friends and the cricket community to get round Sean Abbott too. I’m sure he’ll be distraught but it’s not his fault. Hopefully he’ll be okay and can bounce back,” he said.

Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said on Twitter: “No no no no no. RIP Phillip Hughes. For eternity the spirit of Cap No. 408 #RIPPhilHughes.

“May those footprints in the sand now support another young man in need. #SeanAbbott.”

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott described Hughes’ death as “a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family”.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said: “It was Phillip as a person we will miss most...he was humble, understated and hard working. He set a wonderful example.”

The Australian flag was flown at half mast at the Sydney Cricket Ground following the announcement of Hughes’ death, while the MCC, home of one of his former clubs Middlesex, said the MCC flag at Lord’s would be lowered in his memory.

Former England captain Andrew Strauss knew Hughes from his time at Middlesex and described him as “a great guy, quite a quiet guy, but hugely admired and liked everywhere he played”.

Strauss added on Sky Sports News: “The most sickening aspect of all of this is that a guy (was) in the best years of his life and that life has suddenly been extinguished quite out of the blue.

“He was unbelievably talented and he was learning all the time and improving and modifying, getting to the stage of his career where you see the best of an international batsman.

“It’s a real tragedy from a cricketing point of view that he’s gone, but that does pale into insignificance when you compare it to a life and a friend and a family member who’s no longer around.”

The England team issued a statement which read: “Our deepest sympathies go out to Phil Hughes’ family, friends and team-mates at this incredibly sad time.

“Phil was admired and respected by all he played with and against, and will never be forgotten by the cricket community.”

Giles Clarke, the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman, added: “He was an extremely popular and hugely respected cricketer in England and Wales, not only as a successful tourist with various Australian teams, but also as a wonderfully talented county player with Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire.

“He will be missed throughout the world of cricket and today our thoughts are with his family and all those involved in Australian cricket.”

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