Published: Mar 29, 2015, 07:40 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 29, 2015, 07:42 PM (IST)
An emotional Australia skipper Michael Clarke dedicated the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 win against New Zealand on Sunday to fallen mate Phil Hughes, who passed away due to a head injury last year after being felled by a bouncer at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Clarke, playing his last One Day International mentioned Hughes as the 16th man of the Australian World Cup squad and devoted the World Champions title to him.
Clarke, who scored 74 in his last as Australia (186/3) defeated New Zealand (183) by seven wickets said, “I’m sure everybody standing on this stage will say we played this World Cup with 16 players,” said Clarke. “This victory is dedicated to our little brother Phillip Hughes. Hughesy used to party as good as He went on to say that he will continue to wear the black armband in Tests in honour of his ‘little brother’. (READ: Australia vs New Zealand final in Melbourne in caricatures)
“The band has got PH on it. I will wear it every game I play for Australia. It’s been a really tough few months.” Hughes was only 25, when he died on November 27 last year, two days after being struck on the back of his head by a Sean Abbott bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He represented Australia in 26 Tests and 25 ODIs.
