Phil Hughes family storms out of final day’s proceedings

The family of slain Australian opening batsman Phil Hughes stormed out of the final day’s proceedings at the Coroner’s court during the inquisition into the death of the former Australian opening batsman. An inquisition was filed earlier after a submission from the lawyer for Cricket Australia that the coroner should not rule on claims the batsman been subject to threatening language.

Hughes was hit in the neck by a rising delivery from pacer Sean Abbott in a domestic fixture at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Greg Hughes, the father of Phil alleged that a few hostile comments from some of the bowlers made the SCG ‘an unsafe place to work’ on that particular day. In what has been an emotional week for Australian cricketers, the final inquisition was heard on Friday.

This particular inquisition has showcased a well-documented rift between the family of the deceased and the Australian cricket establishment. After being struck on the head, Hughes was rushed to the Sydney Hospital where he passed away a couple of days later.

The inquest saw some of the family submissions against former Australian pacer Doug Bollinger. The left-arm speedster allegedly went ahead and said, “I am going to kill you” before Hughes was hit by a short-pitched ball from Sean Abbott. Although Bollinger went ahead and accepted this, it was ruled as ‘sledging’.

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However, a few positives in terms of safety for the batsmen have come forth with the ICC making a few important rules about the protective gear to be worn by batsmen. This includes a new and improved protective meshing on the outer part of the helmet that protects the area where Hughes was struck.

Local media said that the Hughes family had openly displayed disbelief at some of the evidence given by players and Cricket Australia officials during the hearing. Michael Barnes, the presiding lawyer is expected to make his findings public on the fourth of November later this year.

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