To most who watch it, and all who play it, cricket is a provider of immense joy and unbound happiness. Yet, on 27 November, 2014, the sport was left shaken forever, when Phillip Hughes died after being struck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match in Australia – a week before he would turn 26.
Four years on from the ghastly incident, the pain lingers on in the cricket community – especially in Australia – and tributes poured in through Tuesday on the fourth anniversary of the untimely demise.
Only one tweet came out of Cricket Australia’s official Twitter handle on the day, remembering Australia’s 408th Test cap.
Banned Australian cricketers Steven Smith and David Warner also held Hughes in their thoughts, as did Michael Clarke – Australian captain at the time of the incident, who delivered a heart-rending eulogy for his team-mate at Hughes’ funeral.
Ex-Australia coach Darren Lehmann, too, paid his tributes.
Cricket’s governing body, ICC, best echoed the sentiments of the global fraternity.
To those wondering, the ‘63 not out’ used by several handles refers to the score at which Hughes was batting on before tragedy struck through an ill-fated bouncer from Sean Abbott.
The loss and suffering still resonating was perhaps best expressed by Neroli Meadows, a journalist working for FOX Sports Australia.
RIP, Phillip Joel Hughes: Always in our hearts, 63 not out forever!
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