Family and teammates pay tribute to late Australian cricketer Philip Hughes Wednesday marked the 10th anniversary of his death after being hit in the neck during a game. Hughes, who played 26 Tests, died of a brain haemorrhage after being hit by a rising ball during a home match at the Sydney Cricket Ground in November 2014. Pictures of Hughes, 25, lying helpless on the field as players rushed at him, his help shocked the global cricket community, prompting an outpouring of grief and calls to make the game safer.
“Philip was a loving, humorous and infectious person,” his family said in a statement released on the 10-year anniversary of his death.
“He played cricket for all the right reasons and was able to take it all in stride.
“He loved being part of the team and representing Australia in the game he loved so much.”
Former teammate David Warner said Hughes would have been as good “if not better” than himself and fellow great Steve Smith.
“I’d like to think he was probably a more complete player than I was,” he told Australia’s NewsCorp.
Darren Lehmann – Australia’s coach at the time of Hughes’ death – said the promising batsman would have gone on to play “120 Test matches, there’s no doubt about that.”
“He would just go from strength to strength the way he played,” he told national broadcaster ABC.
Cricket Australia said Hughes’ memory would live “forever in our hearts”, saying he would “forever be 63 not out” – his score at the time of batting.
The governing body has announced a series of events to mark the anniversary, coinciding with the second Test between Australia and India, which begins on December 6.
Players in upcoming domestic matches across the country will wear black armbands in his honour.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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