It has been ten years since cricketer Phillip Hughes tragically died in Australia

On By Pranco

Family and teammates paid tribute to late Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes on Wednesday, marking 10 years since he died after being hit in the neck while batting.

Hughes, who played 26 Tests, died of a brain haemorrhage after being hit by a rising ball during a home match at the Sydney Cricket Ground in November 2014.

Images of 25-year-old Hughes lying helpless on the field as players rushed to his aid shocked the world cricket community, sparking an outpouring of grief and calls to make the game safer.

“Phillip was a loving, humorous and infectious person to be around,” his family said in a statement released on the 10-year anniversary of his death.

“He played cricket for the right reasons and had the ability to handle anything his way.

“He loved being part of a team and representing Australia in the competition he loved.”

Former teammate David Warner said Hughes would have been as good, “if not better” than himself and fellow batsman Steve Smith.

“I’d like to think he was probably a more complete player than me,” he told Australia’s NewsCorp.

Darren Lehmann, the Australian coach at the time of Hughes’ death, said the promising batsman “would have played 120 Test matches, there’s no doubt about that”.

“He would only have gotten stronger the way he played,” he told national broadcaster ABC.

Cricket Australia said Hughes’ memory would live “forever in our hearts”, stating that he would be “forever 63 not out” – his score at the time he was struck.

The governing body has announced a series of events to mark the anniversary, coinciding with the second Test between Australia and India starting on December 6.

Players in upcoming domestic matches across the country will wear black armbands in his honour.

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