Phil Hughes demise - a shocking tragedy

We open this popular Sunday column on a sad note due to the death of Australian opening batsman Phil Hughes who passed away after being hit on the head by a bouncer from pace bowler Sean Abbot.

Before going on to further comment on the incident that could be best described as freak, we at the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. And all in cricket crazy Sri Lanka offer our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

When we were in Australia covering Sri Lanka's cricket tour and when Phil Hughes was on his way to a century in one of the games, speaking to some of the Aussie media men, they described the left hander as the next Arthur Morris, also a left hand opener who starred in Don Bradman's invincibles.

Hughes who was in and out of the Australian team was attempting a comeback and a slot in the team to play the Indians in the forthcoming series. He had made a well composed 63 for South Australia against New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield game at the Sydney Cricket Ground, when tragedy struck.

A delivery from Abbot reared off a good length and Hughes who did not want to risk hooking, failed to duck, but turned his head only to take a thud on the lower back of his head.

Hughes bent down in pain

Hughes bent down in pain and when the NSW players were rushing to his aid he suddenly collapsed face first and hit the ground and remained motionless. He was rushed to hospital and immediate surgery was performed. It is said that Hughes was not wearing the latest model helmet. A pertinent question to ask is: If Hughes was not wearing the latest model helmet, why were not the old model helmets withdrawn or batsmen warned against wearing them? At this moment when a cricketer has died under tragic circumstances, flimsy excuses are not cricket. It is a slur on the good name of the game.

Australian team doctor Peter Brucker in announcing the passing away of Hughes said he never regained consciousness. The moment he was hit, he was carried on a stretcher. He had CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. In a statement, Dr Brukner said: "It is my sad duty to inform you that Hughes passed away. He never regained consciousness following his injury. He was not in pain before he passed away and was surrounded by his family and close friends.

Incredible sad time

'As a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip's family and friends at this incredible sad time'. Australian Prime Minister Tony Aabbot paid tribute to the player, describing Hughes as 'a young man living out his dream. His death is a very sad day for cricket and heart breaking for his family. What happened has touched millions of Australians.

'For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration. He was loved, admired and respected by his team mates and by legions of cricket fans', said Abbot. Incidentally it was an Abbot bouncer that struck down Hughes.

Doctors did not give details on the extent of Hughes's injuries but the 'Australian Broadcasting Corporation' said his skull was fractured and the 'Sydney Morning Herald' reported that he had suffered catastrophic bleeding in his brain. Hughes was 25.

South Africans trounced

The Australian cricketers who will be challenging strongly to win the 2015 World Cup co-hosted in their country and New Zealand next year, showed their capabilities by trouncing South Africa 4-1 in a five-match series that concluded in Australia on Sunday.

By convincingly crushing the Proteas, the Aussies went top of the ICC one-day rankings. That should raise their confidence and do good to their game and give them the necessary prop in their attempt for another World Cup. The Aussie victory was all the more great because it was achieved in the absence of their regular skipper Michael Clarke suffering from a recurring injury. The medical staff is confident of getting Clarke ready for the all important World Cup.

The Aussies were bolstered with the form and return of some of their star warriors. Especially heartening would have been the return to full fitness of their pace ace Pat Cummins. Cummins bowls with good control and blinding speed and will certainly be an asset.

Tremendous improvement

Also right hand batting and leg spinning all rounder Steve Smith who has tremendously improved his game all round batted with great freedom and hit the ball hard with good timing and if he maintains form can put opposing bowlers to the sword at the World Cup. It was also nice to see the return of another all rounder Shane Watson. Watson, if the manner in which he sprayed the bowling all over the field is an indication, then he has got into the groove and should make big scores.

As for South Africa they were certainly not disgraced in losing. They played good cricket. But the Aussies played the better cricket to outplay them. The cricketers or their supporters will not whinge like critics in Sri Lanka are won't top do. It remains to cricketing mystery that the South Africans have not yet laid their hands on the World Cup since its inception in 1975.They have been so near and yet so far.

They are one of the favourites this time round and how they will love to hold the Word Cup aloft.

Now that Aussie have done and dusted the South Africans they will welcome the battering Indians soon and that series will see a bruising battle spiced by a lot of sledging and counter sledging, which should be good for the game if the sledging is not taken over the line.

India's football on the up and up

The inaugural Indian football league was kicked off with much fanfare and if the action that unwinds daily on Star Sports 2 is an indication, then there is no doubt that it has been a success. The League is worked off on the lines of the Indian Premier League cricket with star foreign footballers representing the eight teams.

The football played is exciting to watch and huge crowds in most venues is an indication that the game will hit the top before long. With the second best population in the world it was surprising to note that football had not made the expected strides.

According to FIFA rankings India is 159 out of 208 countries which is unacceptable. Once the league continues to grow, it will attract crowds like in cricket and the game is bound to improve and it would not be long before India becomes the best in Asia and knock on the doors of world football and also stake a claim to play in the World Cup.

And by the way enjoy life now. It has an expiry date on it.

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