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Australian bowler Sean Abbott was overcome with emotions as he took to the field on the 10th death anniversary of the late Phil Hughes.
At the start of the 4th day’s play between New South Wales and Tasmania at the Sydney Cricket Ground, there was a tribute to Hughes as the players observed silence to honour him.
During and after the tribute Abbott couldn’t control his tears and his teammates gathered around to console him.
On November 25, 2014 25-year-old Hughes was struck by a bouncer bowled by Abbott on the side of his head below the helmet while playing in a Shield game in Sydney.
Hughes underwent surgery after the incident after being rushed from the Sydney Cricket Ground but the Australian opener did not regain consciousness and breathed his last on November 27, 2014.
The ball hit him on the side of his neck, compressing his vertebral artery and causing it to split, forcing blood into the brain area.
Doctors removed parts of his skull during the operation but the damage was too severe.
His funeral was held in Macksville on December 3 with many including Australian cricketer Michael Clarke and then Australian PM Tony Abbot attending the funeral.
The Australian Test opener had played in 26 Tests for Australia amassing 1535 runs including three centuries and 25 ODIs and one T20Is.
Meanwhile, as a tribute to Hughes, flags will be flown at half-mast and the India and Australia players will wear black armbands before the start of the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide on December 6 Hughes’ death came just days before his 26th birthday. The incident left the sports community distraught.
