Australia bids emotional farewell to Hughes

Thursday, 4 December 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: Australia bid an emotional farewell to cricketer Phillip Hughes at a funeral in his hometown on Wednesday with a live coast-to-coast broadcast allowing a nation to unite in celebration of the life of a sportsman cut down in his prime. Eight days after Hughes was struck by a ball on the back of the head and six after he died from the catastrophic injuries that resulted, his family, friends and a host of cricketing greats gathered at Macksville High School.

Australian cricketer Sean Abbott (L) arrives at the funeral of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes in Macksville 3 December. Abbott was the bowler who delivered the ball which struck Hughes during a first class cricket match on 25 November Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland spoke for many when he tried to make sense of the huge outpouring of grief that followed the tragic death of the lefthanded batsman a few days short of his 26th birthday. “The wave of emotion that has washed over our country this past week tells us so much about the affection millions felt for Phillip and also about the privileged place cricket has near the heart of this nation,” he said. “Quite simply, the boy from this proud community of Macksville, personified the spirit of Australian cricket. “Ever since Bradman, the image of the innocent country boy playing in the backyard while dreaming of wearing a baggy green cap has become entrenched in our psyche. It’s our foundation myth as a cricketing nation.”

Gregory Hughes (front), the father of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, cries as he carries his son’s casket past mourners after his funeral service in the town of Macksville, located north of Sydney, 3 December

Some 1,000 mourners, mostly locals with a smattering of luminaries including Prime Minister Tony Abbott, dabbed away tears and perspiration in the baking heat of the school hall with thousands more watching on screens in the sunshine outside. Australia captain Michael Clarke broke down in tears for the second time in a few days as he paid public tribute to his former team mate and friend. “Phillip’s spirit, which is now part of our game forever, will act as a custodian of the sport we all love. We must listen to it,” he said, struggling to contain his emotions. “We must cherish it. We must learn from it. We must dig in and get through to tea. And we must play on. “So rest in peace my little brother. I will see you out in the middle.” Australian greats of the game such as Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath were in attendance, while Richard Hadlee, Brian Lara and India captain Virat Kohli represented the wider cricket world. New South Wales paceman Sean Abbott, who delivered the bouncer that dealt the fatal blow in a state match at the Sydney Cricket Ground last Tuesday, was also among the mourners.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott (L) stands next to Australian cricket team captain Michael Clarke (R) and his wife Kyly as they watch the casket carrying Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes being driven away after his funeral service in the town of Macksville, located north of Sydney 3 December

Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne (R) and former West Indies cricketer Brian Lara arrive at the funeral of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes in his home town of Macksville, 3 December - REUTERS