The final goodbye, Phillip Hughes to remain in the core of cricket's heart
The world got shot with the most heart wrenching incident in the cricket history with the death of Phillip Hughes due to the most unusual injury. Several tributes flowed across the whole world, from the respecting gesture of putting out the bats to dozens of emotional words of grief being expressed throughout the social media networking platforms.
The reason as to why the world has just been shaken and literally swept away from its feet is the tragedy associated with this incident that will take immense time to heal, yet it will never be healed completely, is Philip’s death just a few days before his 26th birthday. Someone can be stricken by so much in just a blink of an eye seems just too much for everyone to digest.
On 3rd December 2014, a black day for Australia, especially for Cricket Australia and the whole cricketing fraternity, final goodbye to the great Phillip Hughes were paid. The world exhibited immense infinite love for him which still continues to pour in. From greats like Sharne Warne, Brett Lee, David Warner, Virat Kohli and numerous other prominent personalities from various professions, attended the final farewell of Phillip Hughes, a gem of Aussie cricket.
The most heart-melting moment was Michae Clarke’s farewell speech, his love filled speech that roared immense grief and affection for Phillip Hughes. Quoting from his speech:
“I walked to the middle of the SCG on Thursday night, those same blades of grass beneath my feet where he and I and so many of his mates here today have built partnerships, taken chances and lived out the dreams we painted in our heads as boys. The same stands where the crowds rose to their feet to cheer him on and that same fence he sent the ball to time and time again. And it is now forever the place where he fell. I stood there at the wicket, I knelt down and touched the grass. I swear he was with me.”
These precious words exhibit the tremendous love Aussies hold for the game and especially for their players. This tells loud and clear as to why they are called world champions, why they are actually the champions of the game and why they keep progressing as a nation in the sport.
They simply love it, from the bottom of their hearts. They respect it with the whole compassion; and most importantly they share that connecting bond with each other in reality which is so much evident from their game. This game has been taken to another level by Aussies.
The amount of love expressed by Michael Clarke for Phillip Hughes is an eye opener for the whole nation.
“Is this what we call the spirit? If so, then his spirit is still with me. And I hope it never leaves.”
The emotions flowing through his words, his body, the pain I could actually feel while watching him on tv all the way from Pakistan, was just so jolting. One could actually feel how hard he and the Australian cricket has been hit, which shows the preciousness, worth and the immense value they hold for a player, in their cricket fraternity.
It is just so impressive to see the real love that exists for players as evident from their tributes and the endless love they have exhibited.
“The spirit of cricket binds us all together. ...This is what makes our game the greatest game in the world. Telling me we just needed to dig in and get through to tea. Telling me off for that loose shot I played.”
His speech’s flow was like a smooth river of emotions, flowing and gushing through our ears and hearts. His speech did not just reveal how hard he has been hit but most importantly taught the whole world what the sport means to him and the whole nation. The immense respect, love, devotion and tenderness of these strong characters of the game make them for who they are, true champions.
Where competition makes one cross limits with jealousy, selfishness and self centered attitude to climb the ladder, the gestures of these cricketers show us what it actually takes to play and shine in the sport successfully at the elite level.
Michael Clarke and the Aussies have not only taught us how to play the game in best fashion but most importantly have reassured the world why they are the real champions of the game.
With the brotherly love they hold for each other, the respect they give to their game and most importantly the immense committment they show not just to the game but to everyone invovled in it. The unity they possess. The selfless virtues they have for each other; the vision of a whole single unit that promotes a healthy, loving and selfless cricketing environment and culture, were best expressed and exhibited by the lovely words he spoke.
If by any chance Michael Clarke comes across this, the whole world would definitely want to salute him and the whole cricketing fraternity for what beauty this single sport spreads and holds, by uniting everyone through the hearts and minds. Phillip Hughes, cricket will never be same without you.