AUSTRALIAN CAPTAIN MICHAEL Clarke delivered a highly emotional tribute to his ‘little brother’ today at the funeral of Phillip Hughes, the batsman whose death from a freak injury sent shockwaves through the sport.
Hughes, who had played 26 Tests and was on the cusp of a recall, died from bleeding on the brain last Thursday after being hit on the base of the skull by a rising ball at the Sydney Cricket Ground during a domestic match.
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His tragic death stunned Australia, where cricket is considered the national game, and prompted a rescheduling of the upcoming India Test series, while fans around the world placed bats outside their front doors as a mark of respect.
Michael Clarke speaks at the funeral. Cameron Spencer
Cameron Spencer
Clarke said he walked to the middle of the SCG on Thursday night: “Those same blades of grass beneath my feet where he and I and so many of his mates here today have built partnerships, taken chances and lived out the dreams we painted in our heads as boys.
“I stood there at the wicket, I knelt down and touched the grass, I swear he was with me… Telling me we just needed to dig in and get through to tea.”
The coffin of Philip Hughes is carried down the aisle at his funeral. Cameron Spencer
Cameron Spencer
'Rest in peace my little brother' - Aussie captain's emotional funeral tribute to Phillip Hughes
AUSTRALIAN CAPTAIN MICHAEL Clarke delivered a highly emotional tribute to his ‘little brother’ today at the funeral of Phillip Hughes, the batsman whose death from a freak injury sent shockwaves through the sport.
Hughes, who had played 26 Tests and was on the cusp of a recall, died from bleeding on the brain last Thursday after being hit on the base of the skull by a rising ball at the Sydney Cricket Ground during a domestic match.
His tragic death stunned Australia, where cricket is considered the national game, and prompted a rescheduling of the upcoming India Test series, while fans around the world placed bats outside their front doors as a mark of respect.
Clarke said he walked to the middle of the SCG on Thursday night: “Those same blades of grass beneath my feet where he and I and so many of his mates here today have built partnerships, taken chances and lived out the dreams we painted in our heads as boys.
“I stood there at the wicket, I knelt down and touched the grass, I swear he was with me… Telling me we just needed to dig in and get through to tea.”
- © AFP, 2014
First published at 09.51
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