Flags flew at half-mast and thousands of fans and players paid tribute on Friday as Australia and the world cricket community united in an outpouring of grief for the tragic death of batsman Phillip Hughes.
Philip Hughes’ death moved Wallabies’ coach Michael Cheika to tears on eve of match against England http://t.co/IMeUIam2Ew
— Telegraph Rugby (@TelegraphRugby) November 28, 2014
Cricketers the world over paused to remember the player, and a spontaneous #putoutyourbats campaign received a massive response with thousands posting pictures of bats on Twitter.
Hughes was knocked unconscious while batting in a domestic game on Tuesday. The 25-year-old died two days later on Thursday from massive bleeding in his brain, becoming one of the highest profile deaths in sport since Formula One icon Ayrton Senna in 1994.
Signed bat from @CricketAus players including Philip Hughes. He played his only T20 for Aus at DIS #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/ZRbeEzPFzO
— DSCEvents (@DSCSportsEvents) November 28, 2014
Shock at the freak accident pulsed around the globe as Hughes featured on front pages worldwide and flags were at half-mast at Lord’s, the home of cricket in London.
New South Wales authorities announced a public memorial service for Hughes, while next week’s first Test against India hung in the balance.
Australia’s stunned Test team comforted each other in an extraordinary team meeting at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.
Four players in Australia’s Test squad – David Warner, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Nathan Lyon – were on the field when he collapsed after being hit by a Sean Abbott delivery.
“Six or seven days is not a long time, but right now with where we all are, it seems like a million miles away,” said Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, referring to next week’s game in Brisbane.
Sutherland said the “understanding and empathy” of the Board of Control for Cricket in India has been “absolutely outstanding”.
“They understand that these are unique and extraordinary circumstances,” he said, adding: “Cricket will go on and it will go on when we’re ready.”
Both the Sydney Cricket Ground and the cavernous Melbourne Cricket Ground lowered their flags to half-mast, while club teams from Australia to India paused in a minute’s silence.
Today’s @rodemmerson on Philip Hughes is really lovely. Well done. pic.twitter.com/ULzhb90rCq
— paulbrislen (@paulbrislen) November 29, 2014
Before play in the third Test against Pakistan, New Zealand’s players lined up their bats and caps outside their dressing room in sombre tribute. Both teams in Sharjah, who cancelled play on Thursday in shock at the news, also held a minute’s silence and donned black armbands.
Rank-and-file fans and superstars alike contributed to #putoutyourbats, posting pictures of bats leaning against front doors, stadiums and statues.
Previously anonymous Sydneysider Paul D. Taylor, who started the campaign, said he was “humbled by the outcome”.
The tragedy transcended sports. Golf No1 Rory McIlroy wore a black ribbon as he played the Australian Open in Sydney, and tennis star Rafael Nadal offered his condolences. Fans of Western Sydney Wanderers planned a minute’s applause at 63 minutes – Hughes’ score when he was struck down – during Saturday’s derby match against Sydney FC. Australia’s rugby team will wear black armbands when they play England at Twickenham today, and a message of sympathy came from New Zealand’s All Blacks.
Doctors said the ball cannoned into the base of Hughes’ skull, splitting his vertebral artery and causing massive bleeding in his brain.
Hughes, who was struck below his helmet while facing New South Wales pacer Sean Abbott, remained standing for a few seconds after the blow, before crashing to the pitch face-first. Experts called it a freak injury with only 100 cases ever reported.