Phil Hughes' demise after a freak cricketing accident on the pitch was an eye opener for the world of cricket. Hughes left the world on November 27, 2014, after he was struck on the back of his neck by a Sean Abbott bouncer during a Sheffield Shield game between New South Wales and South Australia.
After his family, the people who were most affected by Hughes' loss was his Australian teammates. On Tuesday, the current and former Australian cricketers took to Twitter to lead the outpouring of emotion, four years on from the tragic incident.
Here are some of the tweets:
I will see you again ???????? pic.twitter.com/EQbzbrZGcc
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) November 26, 2018
Thinking of you today Hugh. #408 https://t.co/LCQ3HlJSyc
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) November 27, 2018
Always in our thoughts, we miss you bruz. #408 https://t.co/NvaFK1SJ9C
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) November 27, 2018
Always in our thoughts, miss you buddy #408 https://t.co/yMehyW4AJk
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) November 27, 2018
❤️, Great Pic @RyanPierse of a great young man. #408. Time goes so quick and our thoughts with Phil's family on this day. https://t.co/5ClvhvmGgH
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) November 26, 2018
#408 ❤️ https://t.co/7hra9288Jt
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) November 27, 2018
Phil Hughes, usually a good puller and hooker of the ball, was batting on 63 when he was hit by a 152km/h bouncer. Hughes collapsed at the spot and after receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, he was taken to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. Phil underwent surgery and was kept in induced coma but he went on to suffer subarachnoid hemorrhage and passed away two days later in the hospital.
Hughes’ death at the age of 25 is still deemed as the blackest day in Australian cricket. Ever since the tragedy, batting helmets have been improved to include more safety around the back of the head and flexible 'stem guards' to cover the part of the neck.