Young bowler's tears as Australian batsman hit in head by bouncer loses his fight for life: Cricket world rallies behind Sean Abbott as fears grow over his well-being following death of Phillip Hughes
- Cricketer Phillip Hughes has died, surrounded by close family and friends at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney
- The 25-year-old was struck by a ball delivered by bowler Sean Abbott on Tuesday afternoon at SCG
- Team doctor Peter Brukner said Phillip Hughes was not in pain when he passed away on Thursday afternoon
- 'He never regained consciousness following his injury,' Dr Brukner said
- As the sporting community mourns Hughes' death, concerns grow over the emotional well-being of Sean Abbott
- The 21-year-old has reportedly been struggling with his role in the fatal blow that felled batsman Hughes
- Australian skipper Michael Clarke read out an emotional statement on behalf of Hughes' family
- The tragic development has sparked a huge outpouring from the Australian community
- The national flag has been lowered to half mast at the Sydney Cricket Ground
Australian bowler Sean Abbott was visibly
distraught today after learning of the death of batsman Phillip Hughes
who suffered a fatal head injury from one of his bouncers.
The
young cricketer wiped away tears after visiting the hospital where
Hughes passed away surrounded by family and friends three days before
his 26th birthday.
As the popular
batsman is mourned and remembered fondly worldwide, the cricketing
community has rallied around the 22-year-old bowler over fears for his
emotional well-being.
Past and present players have come out to offer their support to Abbott, insisting the tragic death was not his fault.
Hughes's
friend and broadcaster Alan Jones also took to the airwaves to say the
late batsman 'would in no way hold Sean responsible'.
The
batsman, from Macksville, New South Wales, never recovered after a ball
delivered by Abbott struck him in the back of the head while he was
playing first-class cricket at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday
afternoon.
Hughes, who was transported to St
Vincent's Hospital after collapsing on the pitch while playing for South
Australia, underwent emergency surgery and was placed in an induced
coma on Tuesday.
His death was announced by Cricket Australia barely more than 48 hours later.
Abbott
was seen arriving at St Vincent's in a navy baseball hat to visit
Hughes and left wiping away tears after learning of the batsman's death.
Team
doctor Peter Brukner told reporters Hughes never regained consciousness
following his injury and that he was not in pain when he died.
'As
a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies
to Phillip's family and friends at this incredibly sad time,' Dr
Brukner said.
Australian skipper
Michael Clarke read out a solemn statement on behalf of Hughes' mother
Virginia, father Greg, sister Megan and brother Jason.
'We're
devastated at the loss of our much loved son and brother, Phillip,' a
composed Clarke read bravely, refusing to look up from the statement in
front of him.
'It's been a very
difficult few days, we appreciate all the support we have received from
family, friends, players, Cricket Australia and the general public.
'Cricket was Phillip's life and we as a family shared that love of the game with him,' Clarke continued.
'We
would like to thank all the nursing and medical staff at St Vincent's
Hospital and Cricket NSW medical staff for their great efforts with
Phillip.'
Michael Clarke finished the statement with the simple yet powerful words: 'We love you.'
Outside
the hospital, the first sign Phillip Hughes had died was when the
players and friends who had been gathered in St Vincent's coffee shop
left en masse to go upstairs to Hughes' bedside at 3pm.
A
shocked-looking Ricky Ponting and batsman Steve Smith left the hospital
45 minutes later, while others stayed behind still trying to take in
the harsh reality.
Vice-captain Brad Haddin soon re-emerged downstairs. Weeping and clearly distressed, he was comforted by family and friends.
From
the hospital, family and friends made their way to SCG - where the
tragedy unfolded - and spent poignant moments remembering the fallen
cricketer.
Hughes suffered an 'incredibly rare' and 'very freakish' condition, known as 'vertebral artery dissection'.
Dr
Bruckner told reporters the artery leading from his neck into his brain
had compressed, leading to a 'massive bleed' onto the brain'.
'There's only about 100 cases ever reported, so this is incredibly rare,' Dr Bruckner told reporters.
Dr Brukner also spoke about concerns over Abbott and said the youngster had been receiving support from his teammates.
'Obviously
what Sean has gone through is an incredibly traumatic experience, as it
has been for everyone present on the field that day,' the Sydney Morning Herald reported Dr Brukner as saying.
'Sean is receiving all possible support from Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia.'
Dr
Brukner said Hughes' sister Megan had 'deliberately spent time' with
the distraught bowler, who was also visited by former Australian captain
Michael Clarke.
On Wednesday, Abbott
returned to the SCG - where the unexpected accident occurred - for a
team counselling session and was supported by teammates and team
officials who have been concerned.
The
international cricketing community has expressed support and solidarity
with the distraught bowler who had been excited to return to long-form
cricket until the tragedy unfolded.
Adam Gilchrist, former Australian
wicketkeeper, acknowledged the trauma that Abbott was going through,
tweeting 'May those footprints in the sand now support another young man
in need. #SeanAbbott'.
Others in the
cricketing community have spoken about their fear of the 'freak'
accident impacting upon Abbott's cricketing career, as well as his
emotional well-being.
Former test quick
Stuart Clark said that Abbott had just been 'doing his job', which was
to 'intimidate' the batsman, reported the Herald Sun.
'I’ve heard at different stages that [Abbott] is struggling a little bit with it all,' Clark told Fox Sports News.
'[But]
he’s out there to get Phil Hughes out. It’s a competitive sport. It’s
professional sport and I really feel for Sean Abbott at the moment,' he
said.
'You just worry that this could jeopardise Sean Abbott and his cricket career and we don’t want that.'
After
hearing of Hughes' death, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the nation's
thoughts and prayers were with the felled cricketer's family.
'What happened has touched millions of Australians,' Mr Abbott said.
'For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration.'
Cricket legends mourned the loss of the left-handed opening batsman, who made his Test debut in 2009 at the age of just 20.
He played 26 Test matches and made more than 1,500 runs, including three centuries.
The
Sydney Cricket Ground, where Hughes' fatal injury occurred, has lowered
its flag to half-mast. Flags will also be lowered over all NSW state
government buildings tomorrow.
At Adelaide Oval, home to his beloved Redbacks, a heartfelt message was posted on the scoreboard: 'Vale Phillip Hughes'.
It
was one of so many tributes. Hughes' Australian teammate Steve Smith,
who spent time visiting him in hospital before he passed, wrote this
touching ode: '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.'
Jim
Maxwell, ABC Grandstand's lead commentator, was overcome with emotion
as he announced Hughes' passing on air on Thursday afternoon, which had
left him 'absolutely numb'.
'It's
absolutely shocking and I feel for his family and for Sean Abbott, who
was the one who bowled that ball,' Maxwell told 702 ABC Sydney.
'I know that a lot of young players are going to be so traumatised and numbed by this.
'Apparently
some of them in that NSW team were sitting in that dressing room up
until midnight last night. They went back for a counselling session,
while there was still the hope that Phillip may get through, but I think
the blow that he sustained was so damaging... it's horrendous news.
'For
this to actually happen in a match on a big stage and at a point where
he was playing so well, I understand he was going to be called up to the
Test team to replace Michael Clarke.
'It leaves you absolutely numb.'
'You
had to admire his spirit. He was very resilient, persevering – he'd
been in and out of the team basically since he was a teenager.'
Indian
legend Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: 'Shocked to hear about Phil. Sad day
for cricket. Deepest condolences to family, friends and well wishers.
RIP #PhilipHughes'
Shane Warne wrote:
'Woken to the horrific news about Hughesy ! I cannot describe the
sadness I feel for the Hughes family & fellow cricket players, so so
sad.
'Just an absolute tragedy that Hughesy is no longer with us. He was such an awesome young man, RIP buddy, shattered...'
Former England all-rounder Ian Botham
said: 'A very sad day for the world of cricket. So sorry for Phillip
Hughes and his family . Spare a thought for Sean Abbott.'
Former Australian captain Adam Gilchrist wrote on Twitter: 'No no no no no. RIP Phillip Hughes'.
Glenn McGarth said: 'Such terrible news with the passing of Phil Hughes. Our deepest sympathies to his family.
Australian
cricket coach Darren Lehman tweeted: 'RIP you little champ, we are all
going to miss you ! Love, prayers to all the Hughes family xxxx'
'Our
deepest sympathies go out to Phil Hughes' family, friends and teammates
at this incredibly sad time,' the England team said in a statement.
'Phil was admired and respected by all he played with and against and will never be forgotten by the cricket community.'
Earlier on Thursday, Hughes's friend Alan Jones revealed he was on an assisted breathing machine.
The
radio presenter, who had spoken to the 25-year-old earlier this week,
said the situation was 'much more serious than anyone imagined'.
'I think I should say to you that Phillip is fighting for his life but this is very serious,' Mr Jones said.
'What
happened is the blow from the cricket ball damaged... a main artery in
the back of his head. That caused bleeding over the skull and has
prevented blood from going to the brain.
'As I'm advised, the neurology is very very bad and in language the layman understands, the brain is very sick.
'So
this is much more serious than anyone imagined. And I say that, as I
said, with a deep sense of melancholy. It's a hell of a fight to
recover. '
Today's tragic news
came after Australian cricket icons past and present joined together on
Thursday to support the injured batsman and comfort each other.
Australian
cricket captain Michael Clarke, former skipper Ricky Ponting, Australia
coach Darren Lehmann and players Brad Haddin, Dave Warner and Aaron
Finch were among those who have visited Hughes and his family Thursday
morning.
Also on Thursday,
NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner called a meeting with the NSW
Ambulance Commissioner on to address concerns over the delay in the
arrival of an ambulance to treat Hughes.
Former
Australian captain Ponting, the skipper when Hughes earned his first
Test cap, arrived at St Vincent's shortly after lunch on Thursday
flanked by pace bowler Peter Siddle.
Ponting, now retired, and Siddle - a current member of the side due to play against India next Thursday - cut a quiet figure.
Legendary Australia captain Steve
Waugh was the next cricketing icon to appear at the hospital to show
support for Hughes and his family.
Waugh,
49, was warmly welcomed at the hospital entrance by Aaron Finch, David
Warner and Tom Cooper, who was batting along with Hughes when the freak
accident happened on Tuesday.
Boxer
Anthony Mundine, who has been a close friend of Hughes for years, was
also seen outside the hospital on Thursday, having been by his bedside
since Wednesday morning.
At
lunch time on Thursday the area beside St Vincent's coffee shop was a
placed filled with emotional hugs and embraces as Hughes' teammates and
their wives and girlfriends comforted each other.
Players
from the Australia squad such as Haddin, Warner, Steve Smith and Nathan
Lyons mingled with Hughes' teammates from the South Australia team as
they tried to come to terms with the tragedy.
Players
were gathered here by Team Australia's general manager, Pat Howard,
before being brought up in a group to visit their stricken teammate and
his family at his bedside.
Michael Clarke was the first of Hughes' teammates to arrive at St Vincent's Hospital in inner-city Darlinghurst.
Wearing
sunglasses, a checked shirt and baseball cap, Clarke made his way
quietly into the hospital at 6.20am on Thursday morning.
At
8am Clarke was joined by former Australian opening batsman, Justin
Langer, and former Wallaby player and now General Manager of Team
Performance for the Australian cricket team, Pat Howard.
The
three sat in the hospital cafe drinking coffee. Earlier in the week
Langer had said he was 'too upset to talk' about Hughes, and for the
most part sat grim-faced at the table, while Howard tried hard to keep
everyone's spirits up.
Matthew Wade, Aaron Finch, Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith were also seen arriving at the hospital.
Coach
Darren Lehmann struck a sombre figure as he walked from St Vincent's
Hospital after spending over an hour with Hughes' family and teammates.
He left with Finch, who looked similarly downcast.
Twenty minutes earlier Finch was outside the hospital entrance when Australian vice-captain Brad Haddin arrived.
Both
players warmly embraced before going into the hospital, showing clearly
how the tragedy has brought the Australian players even closer
together.
THE CRUCIAL MINUTES ON TUESDAY
2.23pm: Phillip Hughes is hit by a bouncer bowled by Sean Abbott and falls to the ground
2.29pm: Sydney Cricket Ground staff raise the alarm and phone triple-0 for an ambulance
2.37pm: Another call is made to NSW Ambulance
2.44pm: An ambulance that responded to the second call for help arrives at SCG
2.52pm: The ambulance responding to the first call made 23 minutes ago finally arrives at the scene
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DEATHS IN CRICKET: A VERY UNCOMMON PHENOMENON
Deaths are rare in cricket, although Hughes is the second player in two years to sustain a fatal blow.
Darryn
Randall, who was 32 and a former first-class player in South Africa,
was killed after being struck on the side of the head during a Border
Cricket Board Premier League match in the Eastern Cape last year.
In
1998, former India test player Raman Lamba died after being struck on
the head while fielding during a domestic match in Bangladesh.
Nottinghamshire's
George Summers died after being hit on the head while batting at Lord's
in 1870, and Abdul Aziz died after he was hit over the heart in a 1959
Pakistan first-class match.
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KIND WORDS FOR SKIPPER MICHAEL CLARKE
It was only fitting that Australia captain Michael Clarke was the first cricketer to see Philip Hughes on his last day on earth.
Clarke was the first cricketer to arrive at St Vincent's at 6.20am on Thursday.
He had been like Hughes' older brother - someone to rely on.
Clarke was there for him again at the end. A fact Australia's team doctor, Peter Brukner, knew all too well.
Choking back tears, Brukner made a special tribute to Clarke in Thursday's hugely emotional press conference.
'There
is one person I would like to pay particular tribute to and that is
Australia captain Michael Clarke. Philip's always been like a little
brother to Michael,' Dr Brukner said.
'Philips
family was obviously going through a difficult time, but I'm not sure
they could have coped without Michael's assistance.
'I was just enormously impressed at the work that he did and the genuine care and love he gave to the Hughes family.'
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THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKET COMMUNITY PAYS TRIBUTE
Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said Hughes will be sadly missed and forever remembered.
'Phil has been taken away from us to soon,' Sutherland said.
'It's an understatement to say we're completely devastated. The impact of Phillip's loss is enormous.
'He will forever be remembered as one of the elite few to have worn the baggy green cap, cap number 408.
'In the darkest hours, cricket puts its collective arms around the Hughes family.
'We offer our love and endless support.'
The
Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Alistair Nicholson
said cricketers far and wide had been rocked by the 'devastating event'.
'Phillip Hughes died playing the sport that he loved amongst those who loved him,' Nicholson said.
'His final shot typified his approach to the game - aggressive, positive and defiant.
'Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family and the players.'
The
ACA have already begun counselling players around the country, with
sessions beginning almost immediately after the incident on Tuesday
night.
Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said the injury Hughes suffered was extremely rare.
Dr Bruckner said he suffered a 'massive bleed into his brain'.
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STATEMENT FROM PRIME MINISTER TONY ABBOTT
Phillip Hughes was a young man living out his dreams.
His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family.
What happened has touched millions of Australians.
For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration.
He was loved, admired and respected by his teammates and legions of cricket fans.
Australians' thoughts and prayers are with the Hughes family.
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