Phillip Hughes’ family have described the popular cricketer as “the light of our lives” in a touching tribute before tears were shed at the SCG on the 10th anniversary of his death.
MALCOLM CONN: THE PHILLIP HUGHES I KNEW
The family of Hughes, who died two days after being struck by a ball while batting in a Sheffield Shield game at the SCG, hope his exploits and character will be an inspiration for younger cricketers.
“He shined bright even in the tough times, which is a testament to who he was as a person, and we loved everything about him,” the family said in a statement issued by Cricket Australia on Wednesday.
“He was the light of our lives. Phillip had a profound love for his family and lived his life with respect to everyone around him.”
At the SCG on Wednesday morning, a crowd of around 100 people observed a minute’s silence before play began on day four of a Shield game between NSW and Tasmania.
Blues teammates consoled paceman Sean Abbott, who began weeping during the minute’s silence.
Through his manager, Abbott was consulted well in advance about whether he would be comfortable with a match being scheduled on the 10-year anniversary of one of sport’s most tragic accidents.
The 32-year-old has gone on to forge a successful international career, playing 46 white-ball matches for Australia, but has never spoken publicly about bowling the ball that struck Hughes.
Abbott approved the fixture, as did NSW captain Moises Henriques and coach Greg Shipperd, and was always intent on playing.
Abbott (4-71) bowled beautifully on day four, taking three wickets in a Tasmanian batting collapse of 4-10 that forced the visitors into a premature declaration.
Nic Maddinson and Hughes’ former South Australia teammate Adam Zampa have also been playing in the match for NSW.
Players passed the plaque commemorating Hughes as they left the Members Pavilion and took the field for the minute’s silence.
Australian international cricketers Ashleigh Gardner and Ellyse Perry were among those in attendance.
Flags flew at half-mast and players on both sides wore black armbands at the SCG on Thursday, as they have across the country in this week’s Shield games.
“Phillip was a loving, humorous and an infectious person to be around,” Hughes’ family said.
“He always aimed to make those around him smile and enjoy the little things in life, where his beautiful smile would come to life.”
Hughes’ family hopes The Boy From Macksville, a documentary on his journey, would further honour his life after its release on December 6.
“We’d like to thank (everyone) for supporting this endeavour and each person who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for creating a celebration of Phillip’s life,” said the family, including his father Greg, mother Virginia, sister Megan and brother Jason.
“We hope we have been able to showcase that dreams really do come true and you will enjoy seeing his family, friends and teammates give more of an insight into his career from his baggy blue, baggy red, baggy green and many more moments in between, including unseen footage that can be watched for generations to come.”
International cricket figures paid tribute to Hughes on the anniversary of his death.
“It was an incredibly sad moment for cricket,” said England Test captain Ben Stokes.
“When a fellow professional has something that happened to them, you can’t help but feel sad for his family, for his teammates, for anyone who knew him.
Phillip Hughes. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
“Also for Sean Abbott as well. It would have been horrific for him as well.”
New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham echoed Stokes’ sentiments ahead of the three-match series between the two nations.
“Our thoughts are with Phil’s family on the anniversary. It puts cricket into perspective, it is just a game that we play,” he said.
Hughes, aged 25 when he passed away, played 26 Test matches for Australia between 2009 and 2014 and represented NSW and South Australia in first-class ranks.
Hughes Family Statement
Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the passing of our treasured son and brother, Phillip Joel Hughes.
Phillip was a loving, humorous and an infectious person to be around. He always aimed to make those around him smile and enjoy the little things in life, where his beautiful smile would come to life. He shined bright even in the tough times, which is a testament to who he was as a person, and we loved everything about him. He was the light of our lives. Phillip had a profound love for his family and lived his life with respect to everyone around him.
Phillip, the small-town country boy, became an Australian Test, One-Day and Twenty-20 cricketer, where he played on the toughest pitches around the globe, alongside the toughest of cricketers on the world stage, but never forgot where he came from and who helped along the way.
He was a unique individual that took risky and adventurous strides to conquer the dreams he set for himself to become test baggy green number 408. He played cricket for all the right reasons and had the ability to take it all in his stride. He loved being a part of a team and representing Australia for the game he loved so deeply.
The number of stories, laughs shared, phone calls and conversations wouldn’t be able to be told over a quick drink at the local pub, which leads us to having the opportunity 9 years ago to create the official biography of Phillip – ‘Phillip Hughes The Official Biography’ that gave us the pleasure of sharing more about who Phillip was. Those pages consisted of his journey from his childhood to his final legacy of 63 NOT OUT*.
Ten years on, a documentary – ‘The Boy from Macksville’, will be shared alongside Cricket Australia, who we’d like to thank for supporting this endeavour and each person who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for creating a celebration of Phillip’s life. We hope we have been able to showcase that dreams really do come true and you will enjoy seeing his family, friends and teammates give more of an insight into his career from his baggy blue, baggy red, baggy green and many more moments in-between including unseen footage that can be watched for generations to come.
We hope between the biography and documentary, young cricketers around the world and everyone that was with Phillip along the way, will see the hard working, dedicated, devoted and rare cricketer he was. His extraordinary talent is known by many but his lasting impression of who he was as a person will always be remembered, which makes us extremely proud of him. Phillip was always proud of the younger cricketing generation he met along the way and was always hoping he could be an inspiration, no matter where you were from and that is also our hope.
Cricket gave Phillip the stepping stone to start a new adventure of Four O Eight Angus, named after his proud baggy green test cap number. Black Stud Angus Cattle farming back in our hometown of Macksville, where he loved the land and his animals and would tell anyone who would listen. The business was built on dedication and it’s a testimony to how high he climbed. He loved to symbolise his cricketing journey in his farming career as a tribute, which still stands proud today. Phillip loved Macksville and the local surrounding towns, where he was able to come back throughout his cricketing years and felt right back at home.
We want to share our appreciation to everyone who has respected our privacy and wishes throughout the last decade and continuing to do so at this time. Thank you for being on this journey with Phillip, he loved taking everyone along with him on this ride, living out his childhood dreams.
It is essential for us to express our heartfelt thanks, sincere gratitude and appreciation to our extended family and friends, our hometown of Macksville and surrounding towns, to the wider cricketing community in Australia and overseas and the farming community.
Phillip, we love you, we miss you and we are forever proud of you. We think about you every day and we are so thankful you were ours. Thank you for being the most extraordinary son and loving brother.
The Hughes Family – Gregory and Virginia | Jason, Danielle, Charlie and Billy | Megan and Curtis
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