Michael Clarke and Phil Hughes shared a lovely camaraderie off the field. © kareem
On what would have been his 26th birthday on Sunday, November 30th, Australia captain Michael Clarke paid a stirring tribute to Phil Hughes, who passed away after suffering a neck injury during a Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), last Tuesday.
In an emotional column in 'Sunday Telegraph' , Clarke recounted his experience of playing with his 'little brother' as he stood at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday night, the place where Hughes had played his last shot. "As I stood in the centre of the SCG on Thursday night, at the spot where my little brother played his last shot, I struggled to comprehend how this tragedy could happen to one of life's true characters and gentlemen," Clarke wrote.
Hughes had a mixed international career for Australia, with more highs than lows, but Clarke chose to shed more light on the personal rather than the professional life of Hughes. "I want to use the occasion of this, his 26th birthday, to shine a bit more light onto Phillip the man he was and the life he led which will help explain the extraordinary outpouring of support from inside, and outside, the world cricket family," Clarke wrote.
Saying that his achievements on the field were secondary, Clarke went on to praise the departed batsman for his unflinching loyalty towards his family and friends. "Loyal to a fault, eternally optimistic, kind-hearted, wicked sense of humour, a child like verve for life I really could go on and on. Sitting with his parents Greg and Virginia, sister Megan and brother Jason over the past few days it struck me that above all, he was a family man," Clarke revealed.
Recounting Hughes' work ethic and honest values, Clarke said the batsman's upbringing was one of the biggest reasons for his admirable qualities. "He was a country boy at heart, with honest values and a work ethic second to none. And it is easy to tell where those qualities come from. His parents are salt of the earth Aussies, who have handled the past several days with a dignity and grace I could only admire," Clarke wrote.
The Australian skipper remembered Hughes as an uncomplicated teenager when he first met him. Hughes came down to Sydney from Macksville to play for Western Suburbs, the club that Clarke also played for. "I met him as a boy of 17, when he came down to Sydney from Macksville to play for my club Western Suburbs. I was drawn to him instantly, falling for his cheeky grin and love of life Phillip truly was uncomplicated what you saw was what you got," Clarke recalled.
Clarke said on one of Hughes' biggest qualities was the never complaining nature - not even when he was left out of the Australian team. "Whenever Hughesy suffered adversity if he was replaced in the team or if he wasn't scoring as many runs as he wanted he never dropped his head, never once complained," Clarke said.
"If he had a tough conversation with a selector he would nod, agree he needed to work harder, grin because he felt bad for the person delivering the message and then get on with it. You knew deep down he was shattered because playing cricket for his country meant everything to him," he added.
Hughes had an unorthodox batting style but it was also one that gave him plenty of runs. At 25, he had already made 26 first class tons and Clarke was doubly sure that he was well on his way towards the 27th on that ill-fated day. "He may not have had textbook technique show me someone who does but what this man could do is score runs for fun.
"At only 25 years of age he had 26 centuries to his name in first class cricket, and I have no doubt he would have made it 27 last Tuesday. What an amazing talent," Clarke wrote.
The Australian skipper also shared some personal traits of Hughes - a fun loving person but at the same time, could make others around him laugh as well. "I remember the last time we batted together: We would meet in the middle of the pitch and I would be asking him whether the ball was moving in the air or off the deck.
"All he could do was talk about his cattle. What that man didn't know about cows wasn't worth knowing. He was a world champion at expressing the smallest facts about Black Angus in particular."
Clarke completed his column with a military poem which he heard from a mate, who referred it to Phil a few days ago, which, he said, perfectly summed up the situation. "One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name."
"I don't have a blood brother, but I am very proud to have called Phillip my brother. I am a better man for having known him. Vale Hugh Dog. I will miss you forever, but I will not forget. Happy birthday bro," Clarke concluded.
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