MACKSVILLE (Australia): Cricket world stood united in grief as Australian batsman Phillip Hughes was laid to rest in his hometown here today amid an outpouring of emotional tributes by mourners including a distraught national skipper Michael Clarke.
Hughes, who would have turned 26 last Sunday, was fatally hit by a bouncer at the back of his head during a domestic game last week. He battled for life for two days before passing away to leave the sporting world in stunned sadness.
In a funeral attended by thousands and televised live, friends, family and teammates paid their tributes to the young batsman.
The Indian team, which is here for a Test and limited-overs series, was represented by Captain Virat Kohli, batsman Rohit Sharma and Team Director Ravi Shastri during an emotional goodbye to the player.
Clarke, Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland besides members of the Hughes family, read out heart-rending tributes to the youngster before Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” filled the air.
“I don’t know about you, but I keep looking for him. I know it is crazy but I expect any minute to take a call from him or to see his face pop around the corner. Is this what we call the spirit? If so, then his spirit is still with me. And I hope it never leaves,” a choked Clarke said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined the world in bidding farewell to Hughes, sending out a tweet to pay his last respects.
“Heart-rending funeral in Australia. Phil Hughes, we will miss you. Your game & exuberance won you fans all over! RIP,” Modi tweeted.
Hughes’ coffin was led out after the tribute ceremony for a procession around the streets of Macksville to allow the locals to pay their last respects.
The procession moved through the streets with players and other mourners walking behind. The Australian players later formed a guard of honor and the hearse and the funeral procession moved past them en route to the burial.
The coffin was carried from the prayer hall of the Macksville High School by pallbearers – Phillip’s father Greg and brother Jason, along with Clarke, Mitchell Lonergan, Matthew Day, Aaron Finch and Tom Cooper, who was the departed player’s housemate in Adelaide and was batting with him when he was struck by the fatal delivery. The prayer service at the school was led by Father Michael Alcock and mourners were left wiping tears as touching tributes were read out by Hughes’ siblings, friends and Clarke.
“I walked to the middle of the SCG on Thursday night, those same blades of grass beneath my feet where he and I and so many of his mates here today have built partnerships, taken chances and livered out the dreams we paint in our heads as boys,” said Clarke, who called Hughes his little brother.
“He always wanted to bring people together and he always wanted to celebrate his love for the game and its people. The bonds that lead to cricketers from around the world putting their bats out, that saw people who didn’t even know Phillip lay flowers and that brought every cricketing nation on Earth to make its own heart felt tribute.”
Clarke said Hughes’ affable spirit will linger and make the sport better.
“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. We must cherish it. We must learn from it. We must dig in and get through to We must dig in and get through to tea. And we must play on.
“Rest in peace my little brother, I’ll see you out in the middle,” concluded Clarke, breaking down in tears.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland echoed the sentiment.
“His journey from the backyard to baggy green cap 408 personified the Australian cricketing dream. Cricket’s heart has been pierced by pain but will never stop beating. It will find its rhythm next week in Adelaide, and beyond…Phillip Hughes, forever unconquered on 63.” The youngster’s siblings also read out emotional farewell letters to him.
“I am so honored to call you my brother, my best friend and my hero … Your presence will never leave the people who love and adore you … I will always remember and admire that you never changed or became someone different while your life and career was progressing,” said his sister Megan.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better little brother. From a very young age you were destined to be our rock-star … I still can’t believe I’m here saying my final goodbyes … I will cherish our childhood memories forever. Our backyard cricket matches were incredible. You always had to win, and would keep batting on for days,” added his brother Jason.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott were among the notable people who walked alongside the locals and friends of the Hughes family.
Several Australian former players such as Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee and Rod Marsh attended the service and the procession.–PTI
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