Mpingwe Sports Club (MSC) and Oriental Cricket Club (OCC) cricket teams have paid tribute to Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes who died last week after being hit in the neck by a fast ball during a match.
Captains of the nine MSC teams and OCC’s outfit observed a minute of silence during last Sunday’s FMB Knockout Cricket semi-final between Polypack and Fazaya at the OCC in respect of the batsman who they described as an inspiration to both established and up-and-coming players globally.
“The impact of Hughes’ loss is enormous. He was an impressive cricketer and a role model to many cricketers, including our local players.
“As sportsmen, we understand the loss of life and our condolences are with Hughes’ family, Australian cricket and the world cricket fraternity,” said MSC’s director of sports and executive committee member Abdul Wahab Jagot.
Hughes, 25, died in a hospital in Sydney, Australia two days after a cricket ball struck his neck which was not protected by his helmet. According to New York Times, the force was such that his vertebra artery was pierced, prompting significant bleeding to the brain.
The cricketer, who represented Australia in dozens of international matches, died after doctors failed to resuscitate him following extensive surgery. He had an international debut at 19 against South Africa, but he started playing first-class cricket at the age of 12.
Jagot told The Nation yesterday that they also expect to observe another minute of silence in respect of Hughes before Kukoma face Polypack during the FMB Cricket finals this Sunday.
