Nothing to do with Rovers or football in fact but sad news in the world of sport! Phillip Hughes who is an Australian batsman aged just 25 has died after being struck on the head/neck by a cricket ball from a bouncer. He was wearing a helmet but the ball struck him at the top of the neck, causing the injury. He immediately collapsed face first on the ground after being hit by a bouncer. He had CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at the ground before being taken to St Vincent's Hospital, where he had a 90-minute operation to relieve pressure on his brain. Two days later he passed away in hospital never gaining consciousness. Hughes died as a result of vertebral artery dissection. The artery had been compressed, causing it to split and leading to a massive bleed into the brain. Vertebral artery dissection is incredibly rare. There is only 100 cases reported. Its a bad day for sport in general. When you leave home and your family to play the sport you love and you never return home to your loved ones, its devastating for everyone. My thoughts go out to his loved ones. RIP Phil please log in to view this image
Echo those sentiments. Big cricket fan myself and had the privilige to watch Phil play and what a fierce competitor he was. Tragic to say the least. Thoughts and condolences to his family who must feel devastated and in complete shock. RIP Philip Hughes
I feel for the bowler too. How he is feeling about it. His bouncer basically killed Hughes! This will no doubt but into question safety issues in cricket. I dont think anything needs to change as this was a freak accident but im sure something will be changed.
RIP Phil, its a sad day for sport, not just for cricket. However I hope there is no knee jerk reaction to this. Its was a freak, very unfortunate accident like you say but the short pitched ball is part of the game. I could be shot down in flames by my next statement because I havent check the stats but in recent times I've heard of more players passing away on the football pitch than a cricket one. Maybe a change to the safety equipment but please dont change the game.
A terrible accident. So young; and awful for his family and the bowler and his family too. I'm sure helmet designers are looking at the design of the helmets with regard to protecting the back of the head/neck. R.I.P.
I was quite upset when I heard that Hughes had died - an absolute tragedy. I've been privileged to see him play and for such a freak accident to take a young life like that on the wicket was appalling. Thoughts and wishes to his family, friends, Aussie teammates. RIP.
I couldn't have put it better myself. Always thought Hughes was underrated, and to see him pass away like this is a complete tragedy and I felt terrible when I heard the news this morning.
I think everyone who has ever played cricket has at some time been hit by the ball. I only wore a helmet when I played in Australia (we went on a 3 week tour there in 1999) - the rest of the time I batted in my cap. The ball hit Phil on the neck, and I'm not sure that a change in helmet design would stop that (and still be usable to bat in). It's a very sad day - thoughts with his family, friends and colleagues. As others have said, thoughts also with young Sean Abbott - what happened was a tragic accident, and not his fault.
