Former Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann has paid tribute to Phillip Hughes who tragically died 10 years ago after being hit by a cricket ball.
Hughes was batting for South Australia during a Sheffield Sheild match against New South Wales in 2014 when a delivery bounced and hit him in the neck.
He died two days later at the age of 25 at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney from a brain haemorrhage – just three days before his 26th birthday.
Born in Macksville, New South Wales, the cricketer was one of Australia’s most exciting batting talents, playing 26 Tests for the Baggy Greens.
He had announced himself to the Test cricket scene in 2009 during Australia’s tour of South Africa, hitting an incredible 275 runs in two innings in what was only his second outing in the red-ball format.
Reflecting on the talents of the talented batsman from South Australia, former Australian cricket coach Lehmann said Hughes, the 408th Australian to wear a Baggy Green cap, would have been included in another 100 Tests.
Tributes are pouring in for former Australian Test star Phillip Hughes, who tragically passed away 10 years ago
Born in Macksville, New South Wales, the cricketer (right) was one of Australia’s most exciting batting talents, playing 26 Tests for the Baggy Greens.
Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann (second from right) has paid a heartfelt tribute to Hughes
“Phillip Hughes would have played 120 Test matches, there’s no doubt about that,” Lehmann said. ABC News.
His death came just as Australia were due to face India in a Test series on home soil, with Lehmann heartbreakingly adding that Hughes was on the verge of being recalled to the red-ball squad.
“When he played against those hundreds in South Africa, young Phillip Hughes, he was just playing against cannon bowlers. Dale Steyn…those types of players were unbelievable,” Lehmann said.
The former Australian coach said Hughes’ talents were such that he was able to adapt and adapt his game to make improvements to become a greater cricketer.
“He would have only gotten stronger the way he played.”
Lehmann added, “He was just a great young man. Life was too short, beautiful family man, loved his cows and loved the farm life.
‘When he sits there, you are happy and smiling. He makes you smile. There are very few people who have the quality of making you feel really comfortable and smile and laugh.’
‘Our thoughts are always with his family and friends. I wish he could still be with us.’
Hughes made 26 Test appearances for Australia and made himself known on the international stage in South Africa, hitting 275 runs in two innings in his second Test appearance.
Lehmann said Hughes (pictured) would have ‘gone from strength to strength’ and praised him for his cricketing talents
Players from India and Australia both paid tribute to Hughes during the series, leaving their bats in memory of the South Australia batsman.
In the weeks that followed, Australia played India at the Adelaide Oval, with players from both sides paying emotional tribute to Hughes.
Lehmann said he remembers that Test match as the best red-ball match he ever took part in because it was played in memory of the former South Australia batsman.
David Warner also opened the Test and explained how Australia reflected on their memories of their former teammate together.
“We’ve forgotten about cricket a bit,” Warner said Fox cricket. “It was just like, ‘We’re out there playing, playing a game with a bunch of friends in the park.’ And (it just kept flowing from there).
‘It was crazy. The emotions were so raw at the time. (And) as a group we sat back and thought about Phil and the memories of Phil (and) it was as if the match hadn’t happened.”
He added: “Just thinking about that (just) brings a bit of a tear to my eye now, especially now that it’s ten years later. He will never be forgotten, absolutely never forgotten.
“No matter what game I play, he’s still with me. And I know the guys who are still playing today, they say the same thing. It was just an absolute tragedy and we miss him. We definitely miss him.’
The #PutOutYourBats movement was also formed, with many cricketers from around the world paying their respects through a moving campaign of putting their bats against a wall in tribute to Hughes.
His family also released a statement, paying tribute to Hughes’ incredible character.
“Phillip was a loving, humorous and infectious person,” his family said in a statement. “He shone brightly, even in difficult times, and reflected the kind of person he was, and we cherished everything about him.
‘Phillip, the country boy from a small town, grew into a respected Australian Test, One-Day and Twenty-20 cricketer, taking on the toughest challenges on and off the field, but always keeping his feet on the ground. ground and grateful for those who supported him.
“He loved being part of a team and wearing the Australian colors in the sport he cherished so deeply.”
Ex-Australia captain Michael Clarke also reflected on the impact Hughes had on him as a friend and as a player.
“It’s a tough week every year,” Clarke said on Sky Sports Radio’s The Big Sports Breakfast.
“The 27th marks the anniversary of Phillip’s death and his birthday is November 30, he would have been 36 this year.
‘This week is never fun… thoughts go out to his family and friends. I’m sure everyone will think of him. It’s hard to believe and it’s still exceptionally raw.
Tributes have been pouring in for Hughes (pictured) from across the cricketing world, with Michael Clarke, David Warner and England captain Ben Stokes all remembering the talented Australian star
“Not many days go by that I don’t think about him because he was exactly that type of character. He was a great guy and a great player.
‘I’m having a drink for him today and of course celebrating his birthday on the 30th. We were all lucky enough to see him play and some were even lucky enough to build a friendship. It’s going to be a tough few days.’
On the eve of England’s first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, Ben Stokes paid tribute to the former South Australia batsman.
“It was an incredibly sad moment for cricket. Something like that happens on the field, something you never thought would happen.
“It’s so sad to think that someone could be on the field doing what they love and be so unhappy that they lose their life.
‘I didn’t know Phil Hughes particularly well, I played a few games against him, but when something happens to a fellow professional you can’t help but be sad for his family, for his teammates. , for everyone who knew him. Also for (the bowler) Sean Abbott. It would have been terrible for him too.
“It might give you a little more insight into why we speak the way we do, you know, that there are bigger things than results. When you think about it that way, a lot worse things can happen than losing a game of cricket.”
A minute’s silence was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday before New South Wales’ match against Tasmania in Hughes’ honour.
A documentary, titled ‘The Boy From Macksville’, celebrating Hughes’ life, will also air across Fox Sports, Kayo, Cricket Australia and Channel Seven platforms from December 6.