Published: Jan 03, 2015, 09:06 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 03, 2015, 09:06 PM (IST)
Jan 3, 2014
Michael Clarke, currently undergoing rehabilitation post his hamstring surgery, today revealed that Phil Hughes‘ family will be present for the final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where the cricketer was hit by a bouncer and eventually succumbed to his injuries. “Phillip Hughes’ family will be at the game and I will be spending my time with them when I’m not in the commentary box,” Clarke, who would be doing commentary for Channel Nine, said.
“They have shown incredible strength over the last couple of months and it will be great to see them back out at the ground where they watched their son and brother score so many runs for New South Wales (NSW), South Australia and Australia,” he added.
Hughes died in hospital, two days after he was struck on the neck by a bouncer while playing in a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG in November 2014. Clarke said playing at SCG would be an emotional occasion for the entire Australian team. “The Sydney Test will be an emotional occasion for all the boys. I’m sure it will be tough for some of the boys coming back to the ground where the tragedy occurred a month and a half ago. But Phillip would want us to play on and it’s important the Aussie boys do so to honour his memory,” said Clarke
Stating that SCG was a special ground for Hughes, Clarke recollected: “He played his first ever Test in Australia there against Pakistan in 2010 and scored a cracking 87 in his last Test at the ground against Sri Lanka in 2013, which included a 130-run second wicket stand with Davey Warner. “It’s brilliant that the SCG will honour his memory with a plaque outside the home team dressing room, sixty three bats affixed to the Members Stand and an exhibition in the museum. I’m sure he’d be chuffed to bits,” Clarke said.
India take on Australia in the fourth and final Test at SCG on January 6. Australia have already taken an unassailable lead of 2-0.
