Sean Abbott recalls the series of events on the tragic day
Oct 12, 2016 at 2:25 PM
The Australian fast bowler Sean Abbott recalled the day and the counted out the series of events after a bouncer from him hit Phil Hughes. Hughes was batting on a score of 63* when a delivery from him immediately cropped up and hit Hughes in an unprotected area. Hughes lost consciousness after the blow and fell at the crease thereafter without making any effort to break the fall. The fellow cricketers, officials, and the medical staff were quick to run to for medical aid and medical attention
Recalling the day, Abbott said “After Phillip was struck, I saw him start to sway and I ran to the other end of the pitch and I held the right side of his head with my left hand, I remained on the field until Phillip was placed on the medical and then returned to the change room.
“Once in the change room, I felt confused and upset. I had a headache, people kept coming up to me but I cannot remember what they said, it was all a bit of a blur and I felt like I was in a bit of a daze. I felt super tired. These feelings stayed with me for the next few days.” He said.
Remembering theatrical delivery which eventually led to that tragic incident, Abbott said “If a batsman is early through the shot it makes me think that the ball is slower than they had anticipated, I don’t remember the ball being fast or slow. Maybe the wicket was a little bit slower that day. That’s the type of wicket at the SCG.”
“I always knew that I would have to work hard to get him out. I don’t think I had ever got him out, from my experience, Phillip as a Test cricketer had a very strong cut shot.” Abbott said on the third day of the inquest.
Earlier, on the first and second day of the inquest, the lawyer of Hughes family alleged that it was the plan of the bowling team to fire bouncers at Phil Hughes which the bowling team defended by saying that it was the plan of the team to get him on the back foot. They added that bowling bouncers were not the plan as they even introduced a spinner from the other end.
The inquest is likely to go until Friday before the court announces any formal decision on the matter.