The news of Phillip Hughes’ passing has rocked me like few other sporting tragedies in my lifetime. Like many current and former batsmen of any level over the past few days, I suspect, I’ve been reliving more than a few deliveries that came my way over my time in the game.
One of the wonderful things about cricket is that the game remains the same throughout the levels. The speed and the ability might increase as you go up the grades, but the experience of facing and dealing with short-pitched bowling is exactly the same: see it, get into position, play the shot, or leave it alone.
»Phil Hughes’ career in pictures
»STORY: Phil Hughes passes away
In truth, I rarely had to worry about many getting up above my shoulders in the middle grades I played. And that meant that except for very rare occasions, I batted without a helmet in games.
And this is something I’ve been thinking about a lot over the last few days. I never, ever felt in danger, but I suddenly feel very, very lucky.
People aren’t supposed to die playing cricket.
Batsmen and batswomen get hit, sure, but swelling and bruising subsides. The odd broken bone heals.
Bowlers use the short ball as part of their armoury; the same reason they use the yorker, or the off-cutter, or the inswinger. The intent is always to take a wicket, never to harm.
Even when we’d yell out or indicate from the slips cordon to ‘badge him’, we never wanted the badge to actually be struck.
Sean Abbott bowled a lot to Phillip Hughes on Tuesday at the SCG; more to Hughes than any other South Australian batsman, in fact. Not surprisingly, given Hughes was going along pretty well, Abbott was probably tiring of the tap his former NSW and now Australian teammate was giving him.
Hughes had hit three of his nine boundaries on Tuesday off Abbott, and had scored 22 runs from the 36 balls off the young allrounder had bowled to him.
Brought back on for a new spell the over immediately before the accident, Abbott bowled two short balls that Hughes left well alone. The Cricket Australia live feed – which I was following at the time – described both balls almost nonchalantly:
“No run, another short one, ducks, he’s in no hurry” and “No run, low bouncer, still ducks”.
Hughes took two runs off the second ball of Abbott’s next over, fine down the leg side. Just another game of cricket at this stage.
The next ball was short, and Hughes, having left two shorter balls alone the previous over, decided to have a crack this time. He saw it early; maybe too early, and he was through his shot when the ball struck him behind the left ear over the vertebral artery, one of the main arteries leading to the brain.
We all know what happened next, but even three days later, it’s still hard to believe the outcome.
Because people aren’t supposed to die playing cricket.
And that’s what has made the outpouring of emotions and messages over the past few days, but especially yesterday, so raw.
Every word spoken, written, texted, and tweeted is genuine. People genuinely want to send their love and support to the Hughes family, his teammates and opponents, and the game in general. That those messages have come from all around the world, from fans, from players of all levels current and former, local and overseas, just tells you how wide the cricket family really is.
Likewise, the cricket family sends its love and support to Sean Abbott. No-one can imagine what he is going through, but there should be no doubt that he’s firmly in the thoughts of everyone.
Furthermore, there’s nothing at all wrong with expressing this support, just as there was nothing wrong with the wave of public support that flooded the way of Melbourne Storm player Jordan McLean, who made the tragic tackle on Newcastle player Alex McKinnon.
Though the news is still sinking in, and as cricket gathers itself in this time of genuine heartbreak, the realisation will be there in the coming days that playing again is the best way to commence the healing process.
No-one would begrudge any individual from not taking part if they’re not ready, but it is important that the game goes on.
Hughes died doing what he loved; and the game he loved can help itself by continuing in his honour.
TheCunningLinguistic
Roar Rookie
Thank you for this piece, Brett. I appreciate you taking the time to put into words (more eloquently than I ever could) the emotions and reactions we are all feeling, around the entire cricketing world. I am hoping that CA institute some kind of Memorial to Phillip Hughes- perhaps they could name the first Test of the summer in his honour? Just a thought, but I think it would be a nice touch, and a great tribute that his family and friends could hang on to, for ever.
TheCunningLinguistic
Roar Rookie
To be honest, my gut reaction was to say "Leave the bouncer alone, no changes need to be made". However, your words have made me think some more about it. I haven't necessarily changed my mind, but I'm certainly considering other opinions.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
That's makes no sense at all. None.
BrumbyJack
Guest
Very very well written article Brett. Couldn't agree more with your sentiment and thoughts. The upcoming first test next Thursday should be an occasion to remember and celebrate this talented batsmen and wonderful persons life. Phil will be remembered and cherished
WoobliesFan
Guest
How does a bowler want to bowl short now.....I mean, he will, but I wouldn't think purposefully. You don't want to hurt someone anymore after this right. Btw, thanks for the article.....just talking about it in a sincere way, is nice for ppl who know and loved the dude.....or for anyone that's feeling upset or sad......I saw the video btw and it's very sad how it happened and players acting with emergency and grave concern..
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Helmet's have tended to make players, batsmen and fielders lose a bit of the caution they used to have facing the short ball or fielding in close. But it has to be remembered that this was an accident pure and simple. Tragic, but still an accident. There should not be any need to change any of the game's rules.
George
Guest
Yep, I love cricket. Now I can't play due to illness, I love to watch it. I'm absolutely sure Phillip would like us all to be getting enjoyment from it again.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
I think in the heat of the moment Brett ,natural instink will take over and it won't take the game that long to get going.
Danno1
Guest
Nice stuff Brett, the Roar has written some really thoughtful well crafted articles on this sad, sad incident. The thing that I love out of this and hope continues is the wide exposure players get to each other now, and bonds they form. I hate 20/20 cricket as much as the next test cricket fan, but this part of cricket has bought more players into contact with people from different countries and different cultures than ever before. If you are well respected and well liked as Phil Hughes obviously was, the net to spread knowledge, understanding and engagement with so many different people and cultures is so much wider than it ever has been before. I really hope this is the aspect from this tragedy that is appreciated, it has made headlines around the world, and engaged people around the world because Phil played with such a broad cross section of players from so many different places. That they learn how to get along and play together is something the broader community could consider emulating. Stay in your corner and you think everyone is after you, get out and amongst it and you realise people are people with similar hopes and dreams. The kid in Islamabad, Johannesburg, Kabul, Hove, Auckland, Toronto, New York and even Macksville, they love the game and want to play with, and against someone, they don't care who, and the opening of cricket through 20/20 has improved the chances of people experiencing different worlds, learning to get along, playing a game they love. I hope this is the legacy of the gutsy little flayer from Macksville, still sad beyond words RIP
Brett McKay
Expert
We've just had that very discussion on Guerilla Cricket in the PAKvNZ lunch break, Axle. The first bouncer and the first pull shot will the real sign that the game is ready to move on..
Axle an the Guru
Guest
This is a great article Brett,I'm still stunned by this,it's still hard to beleive but life must go on. I apologise if my next words upset anyone.My tip is if Johnson takes the new ball in the first over of the first test,he will bowl a bouncer and it could be the best thing for cricket to get over this. If it were me I'd bowl it and just get it out of the way.
Boom
Guest
In such tragic circumstances, I take heart in the way the cricket fraternity has come together. Having played (averagely) my whole life, I always struggled to explain the customs, kinship and fascination that cricket offers - unlike any other game on earth. Maybe it's due to it's lengths or its old British heritage - but I've always loved the 'gentlemanly' nature of the game - something that's been lost over the last decade or so. However - in the worst of times, we sometimes see the best of people. I'm not ashamed to admit that reading the thoughtful actions of the NZ team bought a tear to my eye. From the Cricket Australia website "Black Caps players also have the initials ‘PH’ written in marker on their shirts, have left their national caps on their #PutOutYourBats tribute and are playing in their training hats, and have declined to celebrate wickets in respect of Hughes.". -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Really nice piece Brett. There have been some wonderful articles on The Roar from yourself, Patrick, Cam, Glenn, Geoff, Dan, David and Kersi. All very heartfelt, as have been the responses from the Roarers.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Back when I was playing grade cricket in the early 90's I did have, deep in the back of my mind , the knowledge that you could die out there. I think that came from watching the Windies and Aussie quicks really going after vulnerable batsmen in my youth. It was just part of the risk of the game that you could get seriously injured or even worse as you just accepted the risk to play the game I loved. I did face some proper fast bowlers so the danger of injury was very palpable at times. Sometimes the guys that didn't seem that dangerous normally suddenly seemed like Michael Holding re-incarnated and when that ball went past your nose with that flicking sound you knew getting hit was going to hurt. Thankfully I never got hit in the head but guys occasionally did and you always assumed the something bad went they went down.
ajay
Guest
Kane Williamson has been in tears all morning. When the wicket of Misbah was taken. There was just silence. No celebrating this is weird to watch ! massive respect for pak and new-zealand
Phillip Louw
Guest
I hope that this incident will also give Michael Clarke and his cohorts a bit of a wake-up call. It's all fine and well to cry genuine tears at the passing of a mate, but just a few months ago he was ehorting MJ to break a batsman's bones with some short-pitched bowling. How dumb do you have to be not to realise that the flipside of that is that something may go wrong and you could end up killing someone. Aggression is one thing, but intent to do grievous bodily harm is quite another. And that's a mindset he as captain shouldn't be inculcating in the players who play under him.
art pagonis
Guest
understand your angst Brett. Life is short. Ask the families of the one punch victims, the drug deaths, the car accident victimes etc etc. Phil was wrong place, wrong time, wrong helmet. No one but Cricket administrators can ensure it doesn't happen again. The game will change forever soon. T20, 40 over and 2 day Tests and Shield games of 100 overs per innings. But the helmets should apply to batters, keepers, close in fielders. Games should be played Day/Night entirely...all 3 forms. No more sitting in 40 degrees with no cover. No more bowlers bowling in 40 degrees for 25 overs a day. Play cricket from 4pm til stumps. Look after your fans. Look after the bowlers by rotating. Play Squad Cricket. Play Series of 1X T20, 1 x 40 over and a 2 day game and what have you got....4 days of cricket. Play International and National League cricket for 6-8 months of the year with finals for all forms of the game. Make Cricket a game for the fans and the players. Make the local competitons part of a national League. Bring Cricket into the 21st century. thank you.
George
Guest
It is very sad that Phillip died, there's no doubt about that. Things just have to keep going. Cricket is big business these days, I'm sure 95% of players would still play if there was no pay, but these days the top echelon of cricketers are full time professionals. Brad Haddin's daughter being sick was a gut buster to me, I don't like it when kids get no chance in life - I really hope she's ok these days. We would not expect Doctors, Nurses, Jockeys, Surfers, Police, Firies, Paramedics, Public Servants, Tradies, Accountants, Lawyers to not work a week after an acquaintance died. Phillip's family / close mates and those involved at the SCG may need time off, but everyone else really should get back to work, the way he would. I've been to a few little kids funerals, I'm sorry if I'm jaded.
Aldo
Guest
I think this piece pretty much sums up what is being felt all over the world. I've been sitting here in SA these last 2 days, thinking how does this happen. Such a young life to lose, such a tragic way in a game we all love. We all love the bouncer, we all love the aggression a bowler like Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson brings to cricket, but I cant imagine anyone going out wanting to bowl the 'first' bouncer. Think it will happen by accident and then cricket will return back to normal. I'm absolutely gutted that Hughes lost his life, always really thought of him as brilliant, even when scoring centuries against my beloved Proteas. And spare a thought for young Abbot. How does a bowler return to cricket after something like this? How do you go out and bowl with aggression again? That is the job of a fast bowler. All seems so trivial right now, but if I were in Abbots shoes, I'd not be able to return to cricket. Condolences to the friends and relatives of Hughes, the people close to the tragedy and condolences and heartfelt support goes out to Abbot. 2 Lives were ruined in this incident. From a sad cricketing brother in South Africa.
Jeremy shrubb
Guest
I would love to see Sean abbot play in the first test if it happens, or in the second if it does not. I know it wouldn't be a selection that was going to happen but I don't think that matters too much at the moment. Of course, only if he feels up to it as well. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.