A TEARFUL MICHAEL Clarke battled through back pain to score a defiant century in memory of his team-mate and friend Phillip Hughes.
Advertisement
Clarke brought up his 28th Test century as Australia finished the second day against India on 517-7.
The Aussie captain injured his back on Tuesday’s opening day and needed painkilling injections before he returned to the crease.
But he battled on and was visibly emotional as he reached the 100 mark, two weeks after Hughes’s tragic death, before finishing on 128.
Hughes, 25, died in hospital two days after he was was struck on the head by a ball during a domestic match.
Team-mate Steve Smith, who ended the day on 162 not out, hailed Clarke’s courageous performance.
“It has been tough for all of us but he spent the whole time by Hughesy’s family’s side.
“Just the strength and courage he has shown through those times was unbelievable.
“He must be mentally drained coming into this game but the way he played speaks the world of that guy. He came out here and tried to do something for Hughesy and he certainly did that.”
Michael Clarke's century was a perfect tribute to friend and team-mate Phillip Hughes
A TEARFUL MICHAEL Clarke battled through back pain to score a defiant century in memory of his team-mate and friend Phillip Hughes.
Clarke brought up his 28th Test century as Australia finished the second day against India on 517-7.
The Aussie captain injured his back on Tuesday’s opening day and needed painkilling injections before he returned to the crease.
But he battled on and was visibly emotional as he reached the 100 mark, two weeks after Hughes’s tragic death, before finishing on 128.
Hughes, 25, died in hospital two days after he was was struck on the head by a ball during a domestic match.
Team-mate Steve Smith, who ended the day on 162 not out, hailed Clarke’s courageous performance.
“It has been tough for all of us but he spent the whole time by Hughesy’s family’s side.
“Just the strength and courage he has shown through those times was unbelievable.
“He must be mentally drained coming into this game but the way he played speaks the world of that guy. He came out here and tried to do something for Hughesy and he certainly did that.”
– Additional reporting by AFP
NFL coach apologises – twice – for calling Johnny Football a ‘midget’
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Australia Cricket Cricket India cricket Michael Clarke phillip hughes RIP Phil Hughes