Clarke pays tribute to his 'brother' Hughes

Sydney: The injury that left Australian batsman Phillip Hughes in a critical condition in hospital was a “rare” event but a reminder that cricket has always been a dangerous sport, West Indies batting great Brian Lara said on Wednesday.

Lara, who was playing in the pro-am before the Australian Open golf tournament, said before considering any wider implications for the game, his first thoughts had to be for Hughes.

“It’s very unfortunate, batsmen face all sorts of dangers, we can just pray for him,” he told reporters after his round at the Australian Golf Club.

“I know all of Australia and all of the cricketing world are praying he comes back to play and to full health.

“I think it’s a sport and you are always going to have that element of risk. This is an unfortunate and rare situation.

“I felt safe playing but there was that element of risk, I used to say a little prayer in the morning and just hope for the best.” Lara recalled being hit on the head a couple of times during his career by quicks Shoaib Akhtar and Glenn McGrath but said batsmen accepted that facing hostile pace bowling was “part of the game”.

“I think they’ve done their best over the years to curb it and manage it as best as possible,” he added.

“But it’s part of a fast bowler’s armoury and it’s very hard to take that totally away from them.

“There are some batsmen who feed on that sort of attack and I don’t really believe it’s anything that should effect fast bowlers and the rules governing that.”

biggy,


The new Masuri helmets are about an inch lower at the back and could have made a difference but that was not to be!

what about the helmet..was he wearing one ::confused::

New Delhi: As the cricketing world anxiously awaits progress from Phillip Hughes, a tale of hope comes from a man who survived a similar accident -- former India captain Nari Contractor.
Fifty-two years ago, Contractor was struck on the back of the head by a rising ball from West Indies fast bowler Charlie Griffith, during a practice match in Barbados.
Contractor, who was not wearing a helmet, was helped from the field but he started bleeding from his nose and ears and vomiting, before an emergency operation that saved his life.
The player was unconscious for six days and needed a further operation and blood transfusions, but he finally came round and, now aged 80, offered his best wishes to Hughes.
The 25-year-old Australian, also a left-handed opener, is in critical condition after being hit on the base of the skull by a bouncer during a domestic game in Sydney on Tuesday.
"I wish Hughes gets well soon, my prayers are with him," Contractor, who vividly remembers that fateful day in 1962, told The Hindu newspaper.
"Those were days when there were no helmets, no restriction on the number of bouncers in an over and no restrictions on beamers either," he said.
"The pitches were uncovered. But it was the same for everyone then and we were prepared for the challenge.
"I must thank fellow cricketers who donated blood for me, and the surgeon who conducted the emergency operation. I was in the operation theatre for a long time."
Few players have been in such dire circumstances, but New Zealand tailender Ewen Chatfield was also badly injured on his Test debut in 1975 when he was struck on the temple by a delivery from England's Peter Lever in Auckland.
As he lay on the field, Chatfield was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by England physiotherapist Bernard Thomas. He regained consciousness in hospital.
After his accident, Contractor was unable to build on his 31-Test career and he handed the captaincy to Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.
Among those who donated blood was West Indies legend Frank Worrell, a gesture that "showed the game transcended boundaries" said Contractor's team-mate, Chandu Borde.
"Times are different now. There is so much protective gear," said the former all-rounder.
"In our days, when we walked out to face men such as Wesley Hall or Griffith without helmets, we were not sure whether we would come back alive."
The latest hospital update said there was no change in the condition of Hughes, who was knocked unconscious and had emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

[quote author=The Chairman link=topic=94229.msg601481#msg601481 date=1417020078]
"I must thank fellow cricketers who donated blood for me,....."

Among those who donated blood was West Indies legend Frank Worrell,
[/quote]

Narriman got African blood ? ...hahahahaha

was it blue , red or black  ::LOL::

Australian great believes individuals should be given choice to play

Former national captain Allan Border believes the first Test between Australia and India on December 4 should go ahead, but it would be a personal decision for individual players whether they take part.

The prospect of a four-Test series against India due to start in Brisbane in seven days has become trivial for Australia's best cricketers, with Phillip Hughes remaining in a critical condition at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.

What a shocker, may you rest in peace young man. Such talent, gone way too soon

http://www.emirates247.com/sports/cricke...7-1.571398

This is just so sad !!! ..... Gone too soon !!!  Am watching on TV as the press conference is about to start   

Michael Clarke who kept vigil at Hughesy's bedside since the accident looks absolutely devastated ..... he read a statement from Hughesy's family and then he left ....

Agree with u Cal absolutely shocking and devastating
He had such a promising career cut short