Tom Cooper, the Netherlands batsman and probably the closest person standing to Philip Hughes during the time of the tragic incident has quashed the claims of Hughes family alleging Doug Bollinger of issuing a warning to Hughes that he would kill him. Cooper was standing at the non-striker end and had played 8 overs along with Hughes, he was there at the time of this tragic incident.
Today, during the second of the inquest, Cooper was examined by the lawyer of Hughes family Greg Melick during the court hearing “I’m confident it didn’t happen. If it had happened, I would have remembered it. It’s quite personal, it would stick in your mind.” Said Cooper on Hughes family’s claims that Bollinger intimidated Hughes.
Reports suggest that Doug Bollinger, during the first day’s play warned Philip Hughes that he will kill him. It is also said that it was the plan of New South Wales bowlers to bowl short to Hughes but the opposition team defended their decision by claiming that it was a tactic used by them so as to get Hughes out as he was batting strongly, he was batting on 63*.
Further defending themselves the NSW mates claimed that they also introduced a spinner from the other end; the plan was to make Hughes on the back foot.
Ash Barrow, one of the standing umpires during the game was also examined during the inquest. Here are some excerpts from the court proceedings
“Do you recall whether there was any change in regards to the bowling after lunch?” Counsel assisting Kristina Stern SC asked.
“My thought was the bowling seemed to be straighter at him, certainly not as wide…certainly bowling a bit straighter at the stumps,” Barrow said.
“Do you recall identifying anything that could cause increased risk to Phillip Hughes?”
“No.”
Yesterday, on the first day of the inquest, the court examined views of Brad Haddin, Doug Bollinger and also David Warner who was present live from South Africa. They were the players who witnessed the tragic incident.
The court is yet to come up with final judgment and it seems like they will cross-examine few more players and officials to further work on the claims of Hughes family.