Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

Beautiful tribute of folk putting out their cricket bats in memory, a wonderful and deserving gesture.

Fondest memory of Phil Hughes was seeing him bat live for Worcestershire against Yorkshire in the FLt20 Quarter Final. Stranded on 80 not out at no3, sharing a 3rd wicket stand of 75 with James Cameron and a 4th wicket stand of 49 with Gareth Andrew. The trio looked good on chasing down the target of 213 and at one point Worcestershire were in the driving seat. Even after key wickets falling and the required run rate going past 15 per over, Phil Hughes seemed to have the belief that it can be won and even had faith in Aneesh Kapil despite not having much batting power to find the boundary.

Alviro Patterson wrote:Beautiful tribute of folk putting out their cricket bats in memory, a wonderful and deserving gesture.

Indeed.


Very moving. The most moving to me was the photo of 11 bats and helmets leaning against a fence at Macksville Primary School (where Hughes went as a kid - as well as a couple of my childhood friends, one of whom is long dead himself).


People who have known Hughes seem quite genuine in their liking, respect and even love for the man. Makes it all the more moving.

bigfluffylemon wrote:As a side note, it's great to see how the community is rallying around Sean Abbott. No-one is blaming him, and neither should they, for what was a freak accident. I hope he gets a lot of support. I don't think I could go back if it were me.

'A tearful Abbott visited Hughes at St Vincent's Hospital before he died and was comforted by the batsman's sister, Megan, and Australia captain Michael Clarke. The New South Wales bowler is also receiving counselling from Cricket Australia. But former England bowler David Lawrence, who hit West Indies batsman Phil Simmons on the temple with a delivery in 1988, thinks Abbott's career could be over. "I know what Sean is going through," Lawrence told BBC Radio 5 live. "My thoughts go out to him. I don't think he'll play cricket again."'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/30228827

My fondest memory of Phil Hughes will probably be the incredible maturity he showed whilst batting with Ashton Agar in the 1st Ashes test.

Its a shame that their record partnership has been beaten, would of been nice for him to have a spot in the history books.

I'm not sure if people in the media saying Abbott won't play again isn't putting unfair pressure on him to do just that. As if it would be insensitive, or suggest he doesn't feel guilty enough if he does continue.

Reports say Abbott is bearing up quite well at present.

I think he will bowl again but not sure if he'll bowl again this season.

When he does will he have the guts to bowl a bouncer? Will the batsman sledge him for doing it?

It's going to be hard, no doubt about that.

Aidan11 wrote:Reports say Abbott is bearing up quite well at present.

I think he will bowl again but not sure if he'll bowl again this season.

When he does will he have the guts to bowl a bouncer? Will the batsman sledge him for doing it?

It's going to be hard, no doubt about that.

I thought about that yesterday, I really don't think anyone would. Its not something ANYONE would joke about.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:I'm not sure if people in the media saying Abbott won't play again isn't putting unfair pressure on him to do just that. As if it would be insensitive, or suggest he doesn't feel guilty enough if he does continue.

agree fully, AC

I was appalled when I saw Lawrence's comments for precisely that reason. I hope he can find a way to play again very, very quickly, because the longer it takes, the harder it will be. Cricket has lost one young player from the game, it shouldn't lose two because of stupid comments like that.

Arthur Crabtree wrote:I'm not sure if people in the media saying Abbott won't play again isn't putting unfair pressure on him to do just that. As if it would be insensitive, or suggest he doesn't feel guilty enough if he does continue.

Same, in a way, Arthur, the many thousands of people who - with the finest of intentions - have posted, sent, stated, whatever, their condolences, support and encouragement to Abbott, both publicly (which I certainly have) and, no doubt, privately.

Basically we have been saying to him, "you are bound to feel guilty, and more than a little &ucked up by all of this, but don't worry, we don't blame you."

If he wasn't either of the above, then he probably is now......


I have nothing but untold sympathy for the poor bugger.

As I posted on another forum yesterday afternoon:

Even if he does "get over it", I can't see that he really will. Even if he comes back to first class cricket and bowls, will he ever be able to bowl a decent bouncer ever again? A valuable piece of him armory gorn.

I think that he is ruined as a bowler, if not a cricketer, for good.

I hope that he can just cope as a person.

Abbott can recover from it, I dont think he is over, and I dont think anyone can tell him how he feels. He might find solisace in his team mates and getting back to work for all we know.

Lets see what happens. I dont think this is a time for speculating

sussexpob wrote:Abbott can recover from it, I dont think he is over, and I dont think anyone can tell him how he feels. He might find solisace in his team mates and getting back to work for all we know.

Lets see what happens. I dont think this is a time for speculating

People are judging it on how they feel, I know I wouldn't be able to play again ( or don't think I would )

SaintPowelly wrote:People are judging it on how they feel,

zactly right, Powelly.We are.

Still, what can we do? No one has seen the shoes he is now wearing, let along worn them.

Still in shock with this. Not been around the internet for the last week so only been getting sporadic news. Was such a shock to hear that he passed away playing cricket.

My thoughts are with his Family, friends and team mates, as well as the wider cricketing community that has been united in its grief for what has happened to Hughes.

My thoughts like everyone elses are also with Abbott, i really can't imagine how he is feeling at present. And all those players that were there with Hughes when this tragedy happened.

RIP Phil Hughes