Tributes pour in: Who said what about Phillip Hughes

Former cricketers Michael Hussey, Justin Langer and Angus Fraser and current Australian captain Michael Clarke who have all worked with Phillip Hughes at different points of time in different roles relive some of the wonderful memories they have had with the deceased player. 

#1 Justin Langer

Justin Langer (L) and Phillip Hughes

After a dream debut series, against South Africa, where he became the youngest player to register centuries in both the innings of a Test match, Phillip Hughes went back to work on his technique against short balls as Andrew Flintoff and Co. exposed him ruthlessly during the 2009 Ashes series, and Langer was one of his coaches who helped him get back on track.

Writing in his column for News Corp, here is what he had to say: 

Tough guy

"In that short time, two things became apparent.

One, he always got up. You couldn’t keep him down. I was fascinated by his courage, his resolve, his toughness. I tried everything to break him down. He ran on the beach, he hit balls on the bowling machine, we boxed, he lifted weights. It got to the point where enough was enough. Surely.

Instead, all I got was that grin, and “What’s next Lang, what’s next?”

The kid was tough. So tough.”

My wife wanted to adopt him 

He further writes, “Impressed as I was by this rare young sportsman, it was the second thing that made him so special to me.

A woman’s instinct is strong; sometimes scarily. From the moment my wife Sue met Phillip Hughes, she also fell in love in him. From the day he stayed in our family home, Sue has said he is a special one.

We often joked about which one of my daughters he could marry; any father knows there is no greater compliment you can give a young man than saying you would be happy for them to marry one of your daughters.

“If we can’t marry him off, maybe we could just adopt him. You have always wanted a son”, Sue would laugh.

All jokes aside, you would be proud having a son like Phil Hughes for so many reasons."