CRICKET: Local sadness and shock at death of cricketer Phillip Hughes

LOCAL cricket fans have been deeply saddened and shocked this morning (Thursday, November 27, 2014) by news that Australian batsman Phillip Hughes has died as a result of the injury he sustained after being hit on the head by a ball during a match.

Hughes, who played 26 Tests and 25 one-day internationals for the Aussies, suffered the devastating injury on Tuesday (November 25, 2014) while playing for South Australia against New South Wales in Sydney.

But it has emerged this morning that Hughes has passed away and his death has united cricket the world over in grief.

Tributes have poured in from players and fans from around the globe and there has been shock here in South Somerset as well from cricket lovers.

Well-known Yeovil-based cricketer Kieron Boucher, who has played club cricket for Westland Sports, Ilminster and Chard, told the Yeovil Press: “This is very very sad news. I think anyone with a remote connection with cricket will be shocked and saddened.

“It was a tragic accident. The ball didn’t even hit him on the head, but hit him on the neck. I read that it was a billion-to-one chance.”

Richard Reeves, a veteran player for Yeovil-based Westland Sports, speaking on social networking Facebook, said: “Tough day for cricket – RIP Phil Hughes.”

A spokesman for Somerset County Cricket Club said: “Truly devastating news – all our thoughts are with Phil Hughes and his family and friends.”

The English Cricket Board has announced that the 2015 county fixtures will be released tomorrow (Friday, November 28, 2014) rather than today as originally planned.

Former Somerset and England all-rounder, the legendary Sir Ian Botham, who first developed his love of cricket as a child while living in Yeovil, said on Twitter: “A very sad day for the world of cricket.”

Hughes, batting for South Australia in a Sheffield Shield game, fell face first on the ground after being hit by a bouncer from Sean Abbott. He had been wearing a helmet, but the ball hit him at the top of the neck.

Hughes had played county cricket in England during his all-too-short career for Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire.

He would have been 26 on Sunday (November 30, 2014).

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