Australian cricketer Phil Hughes dies after being hit with ball

World Today

There was shock and grief after the death of a young star athlete in Australia. Cricketer Phil Hughes would have been 26 on Sunday. The young batsman was hit in the neck by a ball two days ago, but died of his injuries at the hospital Thursday. CCTV America’s Dan Williams had this story.

The tragic death of Phil Hughes has stunned the cricket world. The 25-year-old failed to regain consciousness after he was struck on the top of the neck by a ball in a domestic match in Sydney. In South Africa, at the practice session for Johannesburg franchise the Highveld Lions, the news met with sadness and dismay.

“It’s just a huge tragedy you know. I was lucky enough to play with Phil in Hampshire a few years back. He’s a really solid guy, a quality cricketer and obviously a huge loss to not only Australia, but also world cricket,” said Neil McKenzie, a South African cricketer.

In the nets, the Lions had their own reminder of the dangers of the game. Dwayne Pretorius required stitches in a head wound after a ball ripped through his helmet at practice on Wednesday.

The Wanderers is where Phil Hughes made his test debut back in 2009, as he helped Australia to victory in that match. For all the players who played with or against him over the years, this is a day of real sadness.

The West Indies opener Chris Gayle is the Lions star overseas player for the upcoming domestic T20 tournament. He’s known as a fearless batsman, but this tragedy has now put doubt in his mind.

“To be honest with you, the news has made me feel a bit timid. Honestly, it makes me feel a bit timid. A lot of things flashes through your mind. If you are a cricketer, you react to it in a different way, because you played the game as well. You’ve been hit many times as an opening batsman so you know what the danger is out there as well. These things happen. We’ve got to be strong in this sense in this point in time,” said Gayle.

The rivalry between South Africa and Australia is fierce. But right now, the cricket community is united in its grief.