Phil Hughes rip

[whp.blue]

Sad news, just read it today. Very rare you hear of that happening, he was even wearing a helmet. Can't quite work out bouncers apart from intimidating opponents and stop them scoring, I think it should have been phased out years ago

Often, things can only appear ridiculous with hindsight. Cricket without helmets seems unthinkable now, for example, but their introduction was resisted at the time. You may see a similar reevaluation of bouncers now, especially, as often seems the case in this world, a similar incident occurs again within a relatively short time-frame.

This is obviously an absolute tragedy but:

The Helmets are part of the problem. Batsmen think the Helmet makes the immune and they rely on the equipment rather than a hard learnt technique.

The helmet manufacturer may be in trouble as there is an argument that it wasn't fit for purpose and it was foreseeable that a batman would turn his head and get struck on the back of the head / neck as in this case this is expected within the design regs

 

[Armaan]

Usman Arshad for Durham is a good friend of mine, he said all the pros are wary and shook up big time after this.

 

[mcrpogue]

Oh well, at least he had a good innings.

 

[TiaMaria7]

Forever 63 Not Out at the SCG.

Incredibly sad news this was, if this was in the middle of our season over here, I'd have it in the back of my mind to be honest when I take guard.

RIP Phil Hughes

 

[cleavers]

The Helmets are part of the problem. Batsmen think the Helmet makes the immune and they rely on the equipment rather than a hard learnt technique.

I agree, I've played low level cricket for about 20 years, and I refuse to wear a helmet, I'd rather trust my eyes and brain to get the f*ck out of the way, mind you I don't face 80-95mph bowlers, so its not quite so tricky getting out of the way. I understand why they make kids wear them from day 1, because clearly it is dangerous, but a helmet makes you think you can hit anything coming at you, and that never used to be the case, and before helmets there were very few incidents.

I also think that short pitched bowling will now be looked at closely, and eventually regulations brought in, but its not just batsmen that are at risk, wicket keepers (standing up to quick bowlers, and spinners) and fielders (short leg etc) put themselves in dangerous situations, where a similar injury could occur.

Very sad for Phil Hughes family friends and colleagues.

 

[Chipmeister]

It is has been an emotional day over here, at every cricket match played today they have had a minutes silence, saw a kids game on my local oval this morning and they all had black arm bands on and really was moving to see the kids stand together in silence.

It will have a big impact on the game at all levels in Australia, and let's hope some learn lessons and we never see a repeat of the disgusting ashes behaviour from the very cricketers now hurting for a great team mate tragically taken so young.

RIP Philip Hughes a great cricketer but more important a top bloke.

 

[foetus]

It is has been an emotional day over here, at every cricket match played today they have had a minutes silence, saw a kids game on my local oval this morning and they all had black arm bands on and really was moving to see the kids stand together in silence.

It will have a big impact on the game at all levels in Australia, and let's hope some learn lessons and we never see a repeat of the disgusting ashes behaviour from the very cricketers now hurting for a great team mate tragically taken so young.

RIP Philip Hughes a great cricketer but more important a top bloke.

Care to elaborate? Every team with a genuine pace bowler will use a short ball to intimidate the opposition. It's part of the game. England would have used the same tactics if they had someone like Johnson.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

It is has been an emotional day over here, at every cricket match played today they have had a minutes silence, saw a kids game on my local oval this morning and they all had black arm bands on and really was moving to see the kids stand together in silence.

It will have a big impact on the game at all levels in Australia, and let's hope some learn lessons and we never see a repeat of the disgusting ashes behaviour from the very cricketers now hurting for a great team mate tragically taken so young.

RIP Philip Hughes a great cricketer but more important a top bloke.

Care to elaborate? Every team with a genuine pace bowler will use a short ball to intimidate the opposition. It's part of the game. England would have used the same tactics if they had someone like Johnson.

Maybe the Australian captain threatening an England tailender with a broken arm?

 

[razman]

really sad tribute from michael clarke...

 

[neel]

Australia's distraught captain Michael Clarke has spoken about Phillip Hughes on behalf of the national team, revealing that his No. 64 ODI shirt will be retired out of respect for their departed friend and teammate.

Clarke spoke for around two and a half minutes, promising "I'll do my best" and fighting back tears with almost every sentence. During these moments it was difficult to imagine the Australian team turning out for a Test match in Brisbane as soon as Thursday next week - Clarke's predecessor Ricky Ponting has stated he does not think they can.

"Words cannot express how we feel as a team right now. To Greg, Virginia, Jason and Megan, we share in the deep pain that you're feeling," Clarke said. "Apart from when he was at home on the farm with his beloved cattle, Hughesy was at his happiest playing cricket for his country with his mates. Things were all put into perspective when Hughesy said 'where else would you rather be boys, but playing cricket for your country'.

"We're going to miss that cheeky grin and that twinkle in his eye. He epitomised what the baggy green is about and what it means to us all. the world lost one of its great blokes this week, and we are all poorer for it. Our promise to Hughesy's family is that we will do everything we can to honour his memory. Last night I asked Cricket Australia if Hughesy's Australian one day international shirt No. 64, could be retired, to which they agreed. That means so much.

"His legacy of trying to improve each and every day will drive us for the rest of our lives. We'd like to thank everyone both here and overseas for the touching tributes to Hughesy in recent days. Our dressing room will never be the same. We loved him and always will. Rest in peace, Bruzzy."

Clarke paused longest before uttering the words "our dressing room will never be the same". Knowing this, Ponting has expressed his belief that the first Test against India should not go ahead as scheduled.