Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Sydney Test: Clarke pays a stirring tribute to Hughes

January 06, 2015 08:36 IST

"This was his ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground"

"This is where he played his last game, this is where his spirit will live forever"

"The cheeky little bugger, he would be up there, smiling on us now wanting us to be happy enjoying life, getting on with it"

David Warner

Australian opening batter David Warner touches a plaque in memoriam of late Australian Cricketer Phillip Hughes. Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Getty Images

The death of the 25-year-old Phillip Hughes, who was struck by a short delivery in a first class match in late November, has hung over the entire Australia-India series but it has been brought to the fore at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Scorecard

Cricket Australia unveiled a memorial plaque outside the home side's dressing room on Monday, while both teams paid tribute to the left-hander before the game began on Tuesday.

Australia and India teams pay respects in front of a big screen

Australia and India teams pay respects in front of a big screen with the image of late Australian Cricketer Phillip Hughes. Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Getty Images

Regular captain Michael Clarke, who tore a hamstring in the first Test and is fighting to be fit for the upcoming World Cup, also spoke at length about Hughes in a television package before play started.

"This was his ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground," Clarke said in a Nine Network tribute. "This is where he played his last game, this is where his spirit will live forever.

"The cheeky little bugger, he would be up there, smiling on us now wanting us to be happy enjoying life, getting on with it."

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.