Phillip Hughes: A Hero Who Died Young But Is Still Alive In The History Of Cricket

On November 27, 2014, a young cricketer Phillip Hughes of Australia died and left the entire world of cricket in shock. It was a dark day for Australia and it has inked as one, in the history. The death of Phillip was so sudden and unbelievable that even his teammates could not believe that they lost one of the brightest talents of their team in an instant. He left his fellow members, family, friends, and fans with many memories and a ache in their heart. On 25th November 2014, Phil was facing a deadly bouncer from Sean Abbott, the ball hit him just below his left ear and he collapsed immediately. That sudden. It was beyond thinkable. 

He was rushed directly to the St. Vincent hospital, Sydney. Just 3 days prior to his 26th birthday on 27th November 2014, he died. The entire cricket fraternity mourned in great sorrow. Phillip Hughes was cremated on 3rd December in Macksville, many iconic personalities including Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Sir Richard Hadlee, Virat Kohli attended his funeral.

In the Memory Of Phillip Hughes, We compiled 9 Facts That Can Not Be Forgotten:

1. At the very young age of 12, Phillip made his debut. He was selected in Macksville RSL Cricket Club and was competing against a lot of experienced and senior players.

2. Greg, his father used to bowl him every day. Every day after school he practiced with his father in the backyard. Later when he was able to arrange a bowling machine he practiced about 120 to 150 balls every day.

3. Phillip became the youngest Australian player to reach 9000 runs after the last game of his life. He had an amazing first-class career including 9,023 runs in 114 matches.

4. In 2007, Phillip became the youngest first-class player to represent New South Wales. It was Michael Clarke before him. Phillip was only 18 years old.

5. Phillip became the first Australian cricketer to score a century on his ODI (One Day International) debut. He smashed 112 runs against Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2013.

6. Phillip is the seventh youngest cricketer who died at the age of 25 and the second cricketer to die after Runako Morton in T20 International cricket.

7. He was the first Australian cricketer to smash a double century. He scored an unbeaten score of 202 in an A-list game for Australia A against South Africa A played in Darwin. His record was broken by Ben Dunk who scored an unbeaten score of 229 for Tasmania.

8. Phillip Hughes was a performer and he received numerous awards for his excellent performances in his career including New South Wales Rising Star Award in 2007, Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year in 2009, Sheffield Shield Cricketer of the Year in 2008-09 and Domestic Player of the Year in 2012-13.

9. Other than cricket he was a passionate lover of Rugby. Not only Phillip was a good player but once he had the privilege to play in the Australian International Greg Inglis.

 A tragic incident cost him his life, if it wouldn’t have happened, who knows, he would have made more historical master-strokes. He could have been a better cricketer and most of all Australia would have witnessed his glorious victories, however, the fate had something else for him in the account. It was indeed catastrophe and will be counted as a great loss in cricket history. Owing to the fact that he managed to shine in his short-lived 25 years, he will always be missed and remembered for his achievements. 

Rest In Peace!

01 Dec, 2015
Avni S.Singh