In a tribute to late Phillip Hughes, the Australian cricket team has decided to wear number 408, the Test debut number of the late batsman, under its national emblem during the first Test against India starting December 9, in Adelaide.
Hughes, who passed away after being hit by a Sean Abbott bouncer in a domestic game, has become an international cricket hero and Michael Clarke and Co will seek to honour his memory.
Usually, players have their own individual Test playing numbers embroidered on their shirts but on Tuesday, every Australian will wear Hughes’ Test cap number.
A range of initiatives to honour Hughes’ life and achievements are being planned for the opener against India, which promises to be a highly emotional event given that the first outing for the Test side since his tragic passing is taking place in his adopted home city.
Not only Australia but the cricketing world was shocked by Hughes’ demise after the batsman succumbed to his head injury on being hit by a Sean Abbott bouncer in a domestic game at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
After a state funeral in his hometown Macksville, the Michael Clarke-led team resumed practice at the Adelaide Oval and coach Darren Lehmann is positive about the response from the boys in coping up with the tragedy.
“Stick together,” Lehmann was quoted as saying on Fox Sports.
“We lost a family member from our cricket community and now it’s a case of rallying around his family and the whole CA cricket family and get on with what we do and that’s play some cricket. Hughes would want us to do that as well. We’ve spoken about it plenty over the past few days,” he added.
