An Innings Cut Short

Nothing was ordinary about Phillip Hughes. 1000 runs at aged 11 in club cricket. Two sixes to register his first Test century. Another century in the same game at just 19. He couldn’t do ordinary. It wasn’t part of his nature.

Hughes was the incomparable mix of raw, natural talent coupled with an insatiable work ethic and a true, unbridled love for the game. 

The allure of Hughes of was undeniable. He was the epitome of what Australian’s love about their sportsman. Grit, making the most out of everything he had, playing hard but with a smile on his face.

The club cricketer could relate to Hughes. There wasn’t a pristine technique perfected from the coaching manual nor an arrogance that he could claim judging by his ability.

Instead, the game was played with a cheeky country-boy grin who looked like he was batting in his back garden with his family. Whether it be the youthful exuberance of temporarily donning the gloves in a Test match or slicing the ball backwards of point with consummate ease. As one twitter user posted, ‘the point fielder in Heaven will be nervous… very nervous.’ 

Hughes loved cricket. If he hadn’t have been re-called for Australia, he would have played in England for a county side like he has done so successfully in the past. He had 26 first-class centuries. If anyone was able to make 100 first-class centuries in the modern day, it was him.

The runs flowed. Then flowed some more. Thousands of runs were scored. Critics would state that they were scored despite his technique. Hughes would say they were because of his technique. Derived from neglecting leg-side shots due to the fear of putting the ball through his Mother’s window growing up. 

Nevertheless, Hughes was an artist. If Sachin Tendulkar was Vincent Van Gogh; Hughes would be Picasso. Unorthodox but strangely compelling. Every shot left a brushstroke on the canvas of the game.

Tragedies such as this hit hard wherever you are. But, in Australia the news has hit the hardest. Cricket is a symbol of national pride and a way of life and Hughes one of their favourite sons. The cricketing community must support each other throughout this desperate tragedy.

Hughes was often compared to Sir Donald Bradman, the greatest to grace the game. This shows what people thought of Hughes. ‘The Don’ will always have the number of his average - 99.94 - attached to him. The 63* Hughes compiled in his last innings will forever be associated with the left-hander.

That cricketers dress in white gives them an air of invincibility. White is seen as a sign of purity. That invincibility has been destroyed now. Bouncers are seen as macho, intimidatory, electric. They will have a new meaning now.

The entire cricketing world was waiting for the day that Hughes would click. The runs would come flowing in the international form like they did at domestic level. He would be one of the greats. It was obvious. Everyone waited. Hughes waited for his chance. Nobody imagined the wait would end this way. 

The event delves further than ‘just’ cricket. A Mum and Dad have lost their son aged just 25. An entire country and community is in shock. This is cricket’s saddest day. There will be time to mourn. The cricketing community, not only in Australia but the world over will heal together.

Unorthodox. Hard-working. Never ordinary, not even for a second. Always remembered.

May you rest in peace and my thoughts go out to all those affected.