Published: Mar 29, 2015, 11:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 29, 2015, 11:35 PM (IST)
Michael Clarke playing his last One Day International paid tribute to fallen player Phil Hughes by devoting Australia’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 win over New Zealand in the final to him. The hosts thrashed the BlackCaps by seven wickets in a one-sided affair at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. (READ: Australia vs New Zealand final in Melbourne in caricatures)
25-year-old Hughes lost his life two days after being struck on the back of his head by a Sean Abbott bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground in November last year. Hughes was batting on 63 when he sustained the injury. He tried to regain his composure but fell face first to the ground and was taken to the hospital immediately. He played in 26 Tests and 25 ODIs for Australia. Clarke was majorly affected by the tragic death of his ‘little brother’ and had an emotional journey since then, wearing a black arm band which carried the initials ‘PH’ in all the matches. (READ: Michael Clarke: I think our bowlers have won us the World Cup)
The Australian skipper played a key role in the team’s win by smashing an attractive 74 as he wore the black armband in his final one-day international and called Hughes, the 16th member of the World Cup winning squad. (In Pictures: Moods and Moments from Australia vs New Zealand, Melbourne)
