Farewell, Phil Hughes - 63 Not Out - Tears

Death is never nice and is always painful for the near and dear. It's more chastening to see it happening on a sporting field. Last week, we saw Phil Hughes breathe his last, losing a battle with a head injury sustained through a powerful blow on his head while batting. The more I see and hear about the tragedy, the heavier my heart gets.

Phil Hughes was always touted as an exciting talent and someone who never quelled under a challenge. He made his mark around five years ago in Australia's first class season. The Australian selectors rarely have the habit of choosing raw talent for the big stage, in fear of early exhaustion. Hughes was an exception due to the enormous amount of runs he scored so regularly. He was fast tracked into the first team for one of the most daunting tours you can imagine - to South Africa against the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. The talented southpaw did prove his mettle by notching up twin centuries in only his second test match (the youngest so far to achieve that feat). 

Phil Hughes had his fair share of technical deficiencies but always had the belief in his own hand-eye co-ordination. He lived as a batsman who attacked at every available opportunity. He always typified the Aussie way of playing - being aggressive. His life ended when he was doing what he lived for - Batting and going for a flat batted stroke. 63* will always remain etched in our memories. Michael Clarke breaking down during the press conference will haunt us forever. David Warner, Hughes' batting partner on many occasions and a close friend, didn't wink his eye when the doctor gave Phil Hughes a mouth-mouth treatment to keep him alive. The whole world mourned and continue to do so, when the young Aussie agonizingly failed to recover. It just puts life into perspective. I have always said that I watch sports because they are larger than life itself. I feel silly! They never really can be.

It's yet another illustration of how uncertain all our lives are. Without being overly philosophical, I would say - Let's not use our lives for hatred. Let there be love alone. Let there be apologies offered at will and let all of them be accepted. It's a small life. 

RIP Phillip Joel Hughes! It's a dream that has been cruelly broken in the middle. Your fellow Aussies will carry on your legacy and fulfill all that you aspired for. The game will always remember you as a really talented batsman and a wonderful human being, hated by none.

Be strong Sean Abbott! If your career blossoms into a fruitful one, the entire Phil Hughes family and the cricketing fraternity will feel proud. Go for it, mate! Don't punish yourself. The fault isn't yours!