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."

#2 Michael Hussey

MIke Hussey (L) and Phillip Hughes

One of the finest finishers to have ever graced the game of cricket, Michael Hussey, in his column for Fox Sports Australia, recalls how fast bowler Peter Siddle took revenge against Dale Steyn during the 2009 South African series for trying to rough Hughes up with short deliveries.

“South African paceman Dale Steyn had thrown a verbal grenade in Phillip’s direction prior to the Test, warning he was going to rough him up with some short-pitched balls and then get him out," Hussey wrote.

“We laughed it off, but sure enough, that’s exactly what Steyn did.

“What happened next taught me a lot about mateship and just how much this cheeky little bugger was liked by his teammates.

“Victorian Peter Siddle didn't say a word to anyone about Steyn’s treatment of Phillip. He didn’t even mention it to our captain Ricky Ponting.

“But when Steyn walked out to the crease at the tail of the South African innings, Siddle immediately told the umpire he was going to bowl around the wicket.

“Then he bowled short ball after short ball at Steyn, eyeballing him and following through with the comment: ‘That’s what you get for going after my little mate.’”

#3 Angus Fraser

Angus Fraser

Middlesex County Cricket Club managing director Angus Fraser recalls how Hughes won hearts during his county stint in 2009 and narrates an interesting incident involving the youngster and former South African speedster Andre Nel. He said:

“Lord’s knows who the good guys in cricket are and Phillip Hughes was certainly one of them. Phillip was only with Middlesex CCC for a short period of time in 2009 but he made an impression that very few followers and staff of the club will ever forget.

“He was sensational both on and off the field, and the relationships he formed with many of us have made this tragedy even harder to absorb.

“I will never forget him confronting the formidable former South African fast bowler Andre Nel during probably his best innings for Middlesex, the 195 he smashed against Surrey at The Oval.”

Andre Nel’s deliberate beamer at Hughes

He further writes, “(Andre) Nel had taken exception to the hiding he was receiving and bowled a beamer at Hughes.

“Even now I still have this wonderful vision of the diminutive Hughes following the bear like Nel down the pitch to inform the bowler he was: ‘weak, ******* weak, that is why you quit international cricket to play for Surrey.”

“Nel did not turn round to take him on.

“I am not a touchy feely sort of person but I hugged him when I dropped him off at Terminal 3. It seemed the natural thing to do."

#4 Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke (L) and Phillip Hughes

In his column for Sunday Telegraph, Australian captain Michael Clarke lavished praises on Hughes’ impeccable character, referring to him as his brother. He said:

“I struggle to comprehend how this tragedy could happen to one of life’s true characters and gentlemen”. His cricketing achievements – of which there were many – really play second fiddle to the human qualities that he exhibited.

“Loyal to a fault, eternally optimistic, kind-hearted, wicked sense of humour, a child-like verve for life … I really could go on and on.”

"If he had a tough conversation with a selector he would nod, agree he needed to work harder, grin because he felt bad for the person delivering the message and then get on with it.

"You knew deep down he was shattered because playing cricket for his country meant everything to him.

“I don’t think in 12 years of playing cricket at the top level I have ever come across a more loyal or generous-hearted teammate. I don’t have a blood brother, but I am very proud to have called Phillip my brother. I am a better man for having known him.”