Three days shy of his 26th birthday, Hughes was struck on the back of the head by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG on Tuesday. A ball delivered by 22 year old bowler, Sean Abbott – one that Sean will never forget. As Australia, and indeed the cricketing world waited and hoped for his recovery, Prime Minister Tony Abbott delivered the crushing news that Hughes had died, after his life support was turned off, in his St Vincent’s hospital bed. Spreading like a heavy cloud of grief across the country, Hughes family, friends, team mates and the entire country have been devastated by this tragic loss – too young, too soon.
Through tears of deep sadness, our resident Psychologist Jo Lamble has shared her thoughts with us on the young Aussie’s shocking death and the ripple effects this event will have on young cricketers and indeed on the game of cricket in this country – a sport that runs deep in our veins and close to our hearts.
Images courtesy of Instagram
Cricket is often viewed as a ‘soft sport’ – tragic accidents like this somewhat ‘burst the bubble’ on glorified model in major sports and highlight the fact that the very real dangers in sports is often ignored. What effect do you think this will have on the wider cricketing community?
It’s an important warning that there are dangers in most sports and cricket is certainly not a soft sport. The element of danger often leads to greater admiration of the sports people. But at times like this, the bubble definitely bursts and we remember that our heroes are human beings with families and friends who will be devastated by the news.
What responsibility do sporting clubs have to educate parents and kids around the dangers of various sports and their decisions to play them?
I think the sporting clubs have an enormous responsibility to warn of the dangers, but I believe in the most part, they do this very well. This accident is no one’s fault and it doesn’t help Phil or his family for us to blame anyone.
Escaping injury is arguably a matter of luck, but not all sports are created equal in terms of dangers…
Obviously sports such as car racing, horse racing, and sports involving high levels of contact are more dangerous than others but I don’t think anyone who participates in these sports are ignorant of the dangers.
Coping with the death of a sporting hero for children and fans is a very real issue, what advice would you have for parents?
It is a very sad time and provides the opportunity for parents to model a healthy grief reaction. Let them know that it’s okay to cry and it’s okay to be angry and confused. Keep an eye on your children for the next little while because some kids hide their feelings and it can be hard to know what they’re thinking. Regularly check in by asking how they’re going and tell them how you’re feeling. Cricket fans everywhere will hopefully focus on the amazing young man who lost his life in this tragic accident and not look for someone or something to blame. Blaming others interferes with the grief reaction
At a time like this it’s important to celebrate Phillip’s achievements and think of his family, friends and team mates as well as the poor young bowler who must be in unspeakable pain right now.
As we stand united in grief for the loss of one of our nation’s favourite sons, we must also stand firm beside Sean Abbott – who will, like all of us, remember this time for the rest of his life, but who will also carry the weight of this memory in a way we can only imagine.
Read More:
Standing By Sean Abbott, United In Grief
In The Wake Of Phillip Hughes’ Death, We Explore Modelling Healthy Grief To Children
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