An Australian batsman retires on 408 in 63rd over
A batsman in a club cricket in Victoria has sacrificed breaking a long-standing record in order to make a tribute to late Australian batsman Phillip Hughes.
Shaun McArthur, the captain of Ballarat club said Haddon, was batting on 220 in a match against local rivals VRI Delacombe.
With the club’s all-time batting record within touching distance, McArthur glanced at the scoreboard and made the extraordinary decision to retire.
On the sideline, his teammates were stunned until they looked at the scoreboard and realized what a thought move their captain just made.
When Haddon retired Ballarat’s score was 408, which was Hughes’ Test number for Australia, and there had been 63 overs bowled.
Hughes was batting on 63 when he was hit on the back of his head by a rising delivery, and ‘63 not out’ has become something of a catch cry for a cricket community struggling to come to terms with such a shocking death.
Junior club cricketers across the country were encouraged to retire on 63 instead of the usual 50 but McArthur’s selfless decision appears to be unprecedented.