Fraser pays tribute to ‘sensational’ Hughes
Middlesex director of cricket Angus Fraser has led the tributes to the club’s former batsman Phillip Hughes, who has died in hospital aged 25.
Hughes was hit on the head by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney on Tuesday and needed resuscitating on the pitch before undergoing emergency surgery.
He never regained consciousness and passed away on Thursday.
Middlesex off-season training has been cancelled for two days, while flags at Lord’s will fly at half-mast.
Hughes played two Test matches at the ground against England and scored three centuries there for Middlesex during his brief stint at the club in 2009.
Fraser, who made Hughes his first signing at the club after starting in his role that same year, described the Australian as “sensational, on and off the field”.
He said: “Phillip was only with Middlesex for a short period but he made an impression that very few followers and staff of the club will ever forget.
“The relationships he formed with many of us have made this tragedy even harder to absorb.
“He possessed a lovely, carefree, simple attitude to life but his character was underpinned by a strong work ethic and a fierce desire to score runs and to be the best he could be.
“Even though his international career at times stuttered, he never once felt sorry for himself.
“We always hoped that he would one day return to play for Middlesex again. That, tragically, with many other dreams, ended last night.”
His former Middlesex colleagues have also expressed their shock at the news.
England bowler Steven Finn tweeted: “Devastated to hear of Phil Hughes’ passing. Such a sad day for everyone. Condolences to his family and friends. Champion of a man! RIP.”
Ex-Middlesex spinner Shaun Udal described his former county team-mate Hughes as “a great human being”, while MCC president David Morgan described the batsman’s passing as “devastating”.
He added: “For a talented young man to lose his life playing the game he loved is beyond most people’s comprehension.
“Known as he was to so many at Lord’s, this news will be hard felt.”
The release of the 2015 County Championship fixtures, due for Thursday, has been delayed out of respect.
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