Phil Hughes rip

[mancity1]

What a tragic loss.

They say the first few minutes of a head trauma injury are key, Natasha Richardson and Michael Schumacher spring to mind, but it's difficult to see what more could have even done in this instance.

Cricket to the uninitiated is seen as a somewhat genteel game, and whilst that's true up to a point, the weight and hardness of a cricket ball means that when it is propelled at speeds approaching 100 mph it is a lethal weapon. Batsmen, notwithstanding helmets, display great courage to withstand that onslaught, often for hours on end.

A friend of my ex lost her brother to a cricket injury, standing as he was in a fielding position close to the batsman. I've sometimes wondered about how a freak death affects you compared to, say, one where someone else is entirely culpable. Does it make it easier or harder to come to terms with? The reality is that we are all, at some point, a 'left or right' decision away from a life changing, or ending, event. Leaving the house five minutes earlier/later could be the difference between being in that pile up, or not.

I hope his family, and the bowler, Sean Abbot, can try to come to terms with this in the best way possible. We live in a universe of infinite chaos and we're all a twist of fate away from it being curtains. He was doing something he loved and hopefully he didn't suffer too much. I doubt that will give any of them any degree of comfort at the moment, but hopefully over time that will start to play a part in their thoughts.

We try and exercise so much control over our lives, but frequently we have so little. That is both tragic and humbling.

It's a tired cliche, but you've got to make the most of your life because you never know how long you've got. In his short life, having been a professional cricketer, Phil Hughes certainly seemed to make the most of his.

RIP.

Well said gordon , life is fleeting and who knows what awaits us after we leave this world.

A freak accident but an accident no doubt and all of us at bluemoon no doubt wish his family friends and the wider cricketing world all the best in their time of grief and such sorrow.

I hope Shaun Abbott stays strong and doesn't give on a game he loves as a result.

Maybe this will serve as a reminder to those involved in the game that better protection is required for all who participate in the game despite this being a once in a lifetime occurrence it would seem.

RIP Phil Hughes.

 

[Ric]

Awful news, such a tragic accident.

 

[mscenterh750]

A truly tragic loss and my condolences go out to Phil Hughes's family at such a sad time. I also hope that the bowler gets all the help and support he needs and will require, as he must be going through the emotional wringer at this moment.

A truly sad day for cricket. R.I.P Phil and Sean Abbot I feel for you, I really do and I hope you stay strong.

 

[supercity88]

A very promising cricketer and only 25. Shocking. My thoughts go to his family and friends and also to the poor bowler who must be feeling like his world's fallen apart. He did nothing wrong but it must be eating him alive. I hope he can recover and go on to make a positive impact in the game, this will be tough for all to get over. I hope as a nation we can offer some tribute to Phil during the next Ashes series and pay our respects. That last wicket stand with Agar was excellent and I think he could have cemented a place in their test side.

 

[moomba]

Horrible news to wake up to, although I did half expect it speaking to a few people over there who felt the public was been softened up for bad news.

Hard to imagine that the game in Australia won't change significantly. Intimidation and the need to show courage in the face of intimidation is such a significant part of the game in Australia at all levels. It may not have been the reason for this tragedy but I can't think that anyone would try that sort of shit any more. And who knows how this is going to effect the individuals involved, not least the bowler.

Not really important atm, such a horrible tragedy.

 

[denislawsbackheel]

Just listening to the doctors on TV and what actually happened to him, just a freak spot he got hit on no helmet would have prevented it as it was his neck that took the hit.

Not true.
A helmet design that would have offered full head and neck protection was rejected by the players official body.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Awful news, my thoughts go to his family and Sean Abbott. Just tragic.

RIP Phil Hughes.

 

[jollylescott]

A wonderful life cut tragically short. As a fellow Aussie this is truly devastating. The youngest player ever to score two hundreds in a test match. A country boy renowned for always having a smile on his face.

In Australia there has been a national outpouring of grief. It feels like the nation is in collective shock and profound mourning.

My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with his family and friends.

 

[BlueHammer85]

Very sad news.

I honestly find the cricket ball one of the most lethal things in sport - it is ridiculously hard and heavy - even catching one from distance was painful enough - ive seen a few injury's and cars smashed because of them and im surprised more incidents like this doesn't happen.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Horrible news to wake up to, although I did half expect it speaking to a few people over there who felt the public was been softened up for bad news.

Hard to imagine that the game in Australia won't change significantly. Intimidation and the need to show courage in the face of intimidation is such a significant part of the game in Australia at all levels. It may not have been the reason for this tragedy but I can't think that anyone would try that sort of shit any more. And who knows how this is going to effect the individuals involved, not least the bowler.

Not really important atm, such a horrible tragedy.

It's a tough one. There never seemed that much danger to batsmen in the pre-helmet days. Being more protected has led batsmen to take more risks in their shot selections (such as the scoop shot). We were taught to never take your eyes off the ball but modern players now decide to take the blow on the helmet, which I think Phil Hughes tried to do.

Mike Atherton spoke well on SSN. Basically said how this is such a truly rare occurrence there's probably not much anyone could have done about it. Obviously he worded it much better than that.