Sydney: As a mark of respect for departed opening batsman Phillip Hughes, Australia skipper Michael Clarke on Sunday the players had requested Cricket Australia (CA) to retire Hughes’ One Day International number, ’64’.
“We are going to miss that cheeky grin and that twinkle in his eye. He epitomised what the baggy green was about and what it means to us all,” Clarke said.
“The world lost one of its great blokes this week and we are all poorer for it.” Clarke said the players had urged the board to retire the southpaw’s ODI number, 64.
“They agreed. That means so much,” he added.
“His legacy of trying to improve each and every day will drive us for the rest of our lives. Our dressing room will never be the same. We loved him and always will. Rest in peace bruzzy,” said the right-hander.
Hughes, 25, died on Thursday as the result of a catastrophic injury he sustained when struck on the head by a ball during a domestic match between New South Wales and South Australia.
Meanwhile, the first of the four-match Test rubber between India and Australia, which was scheduled to be held from December 4 at the Gabba in Brisbane, has been postponed indefinitely.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland thanked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for backing its decision to postpone the first Test.
Hughes will be buried in his home town at Macksville, New South Waleson on Wednesday, Cricket Australia said.
Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke remembered team-mate Phillip Hughes’ birthday Sunday by posting a number of warm and memorable photos on his Twitter feed just days after the tragic passing of his “little brother”.
Clarke tweeted his first message just before 10 p.m. Saturday night, telling his followers and friends that in just over two hours it would be his team-mate’s 26th birthday, and encouraged all to grab a drink and “raise your glass”, reports Sydney Morning Herald. “In 2 hours and 6 min it will be my Brother’s 26th BDay. Please get yourself a drink and raise your glass!” Clarke tweeted.
The first birthday message from Clarke, posted just after midnight on what would have been Hughes’ 26th birthday, was raw, open and heart-breaking, speaking directly to Hughes and saying exactly what many of his teammates and family members have experienced in the past five days. “Happy birthday bro. Will love you forever. It has been the hardest few days of my life.”
Clarke has also written a touching tribute to his friend and team-mate, published by Newscorp Sunday, where he speaks of the man that was his friend Phillip Hughes, the cricketer, and the tragedy of losing his “little brother”. (PTI)
