Through the overwhelmingly enormous outpouring of emotion and tributes that have flown in the wake of the tragic and untimely passing of Australian Test batsman Phillip Hughes – from the sea of humanity that descended upon his hometown of Macksville for his funeral, to the scores of people worldwide who put their bats outside as a mark of respect – today’s tribute from his great mate David Warner might just be the most heartfelt and moving of all.
During the first session of the fourth – and final – test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Warner’s score ticked over to 63 not out, the same score of Hughes’ final innings.
As he completed the run, Warner removed his helmet and gloves and gazed skyward, before kneeling to the ground near the pitch and planting a gentle kiss on the turf – the very same spot where Hughes tragically fell on November the 25th of last year; the image of Warner rendering assistance to his stricken mate on that terrible day writ large in the months since.
Somewhat fittingly, Warner’s score remained on 63 as the match entered its day one lunch break, and the crowd at the ground stood and applauded as their own mark of remembrance for the Boy from Macksville.
As Warner emerged after lunch, he glanced at the plaque erected permanently in Hughes’ honour outside the home change rooms at the ground he’d long called home. A gentle glance of his glove across Hughes’ bronzed visage followed, before Warner re-took the field to re-commence play.
And that, precisely, is how we heal. Never forgetting, but moving on.
Photo: William West via Getty Images.
