New South Wales teammates gathered to support Sean Abbott during a poignant minute’s silence at the SCG, marking the tenth anniversary of Phillip Hughes’s tragic passing. Abbott, who bowled the fateful delivery that struck Hughes during a Sheffield Shield match in 2014, was visibly emotional as he wiped away tears after the moment of reflection. Hughes succumbed to his injuries two days later at the age of 25. On this significant day, prior to the commencement of the fourth day of NSW’s match against Tasmania, players observed a minute of silence in memory of Hughes. Abbott, now 32, has built a successful career, featuring in 46 white-ball matches for Australia, yet he has never publicly addressed the incident. He had been consulted ahead of the fixture and chose to participate, with support from NSW captain Moises Henriques and coach Greg Shipperd. Before taking the field, players passed a plaque commemorating Hughes, with Australian cricketers Ashleigh Gardner and Ellyse Perry in attendance. Flags were flown at half-mast, and all players wore black armbands throughout the Shield matches that week. Earlier in the day, Hughes’s family released a heartfelt tribute, describing him as a loving and infectious person who brought joy and laughter to those around him. They expressed hope that the upcoming documentary, ‘The Boy From Macksville’, set to be released on December 6, would further honor his legacy. Phillip Hughes played 26 Tests, 25 ODIs, and one T20I for Australia between 2009 and 2014, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
