On this day, four years ago, cricket saw one of its darkest days ever as Australian opener Phil Hughes passed away, having been hit on the head by a bouncer bowled by Sean Abott a few days ago during a Sheffield Shield match.
Hughes, who fell to the ground immediately after being hit on the head, was in hospital for a period of three days before he succumbed, leaving behind tears in the eyes of his family, teammates and fans. Cricketers and fans from around the world paid tribute to Hughes on his fourth death anniversary.
November 27th 2014 was one of the darkest days the cricketing family has ever experienced as it lost Phil Hughes, who died at the age of just 25.#63NotOutForever pic.twitter.com/Un2n1klQeJ
— ICC (@ICC) November 27, 2018
408 pic.twitter.com/bmuyvfaNe1
— Cricket Australia (@CAComms) November 27, 2018
I will see you again 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/EQbzbrZGcc
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) November 26, 2018
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❤️, Great Pic @RyanPierse of a great young man. #408. Time goes so quick and our thoughts with Phil’s family on this day. https://t.co/5ClvhvmGgH
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) November 26, 2018
The thing about Phil Hughes – almost every player I spoke to thought he was their best mate. That’s how he made people feel.
He was so special on the ground & off it. It never gets any easier to comprehend.
Thoughts with all his mates & family, four years on. #63notout
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_M_FOX) November 26, 2018
Hughes was just 25 when tragedy struck him. He looked set for a promising career with the Australian cricket team, having already played a number of matches for them. At the time of passing away, he had featured in 26 Tests, 25 ODIs and one T20I for the national team.