SYDNEY – Australia’s cricket captain Michael Clarke paid tribute to deceased young teammate Phillip Hughes on Wednesday, saying he will live on through the spirit of the sport.
“Phillip’s spirit, which is now part of our game forever, will act as custodian of the sport we love,’’ Clarke said at the funeral held in Hughes’ hometown of Macksville in northern New South Wales.
Clarke said on the night Hughes died he had felt his spirit standing beside him when he went to the spot on the wicket in the Sydney Cricket Ground where he had been felled by a high ball.
“I stood there at the wicket, I kneeled down and touched the grass; I swear he was with me. Picking me up off my feet to check if I was OK,’’ Clarke said.
“Rest in peace, little brother, I’ll see you out in the middle.’’
People lined the streets of the small town to pay respects as the cortege passed, followed by the Australian men’s and women’s cricket teams, as well as famous players from all over the world.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and community leaders attended the funeral.
The funeral was televised live on several channels across Australia and hundreds of people turned up to cricket fields in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, where it was broadcast live on the big screens.
In Sydney, a line of 63 cricket bats commemorated the number of runs he scored in his last match. The number 63 has been marked in many ways.
Cricket star Shane Warne said he had heard that a schoolboy came off the field last weekend after scoring 37, saying he’d finished Hughes’ century for him.
The death of Phillip Hughes while playing cricket has shocked Australia and cricket lovers around the world.
Hughes, 25, in July scored a century in each innings in just his second match for Australia, the youngest player ever to do so.
He was thought to be about to be selected for the team to play against India when he was felled by a bouncer, a freak accident according to doctors, and died two days later.
The first test against India scheduled to start in Brisbane on Thursday was postponed due to the tragedy. The series will start in Adelaide on Dec. 9. The delayed Brisbane test will start on Dec. 17. (dpa/NAN)