Australia cricket team pays tribute with black armbands on Day 1 of the pink-ball Test against India

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley expressed his recognition of the upcoming period of contemplation for those who knew and respected Phillip Hughes. He also mentioned plans for a tribute to be paid to Hughes during the pink-ball Test.

“We wanted to ensure that the Hughes family, particularly, were comfortable with any commemorations and that we celebrate Phillip’s life and incredible achievements appropriately.”

Hughes had played 26 Tests for Australia, and was one of the integral members of the side in the longest format of the game at the time of his passing. He was hit at an unprotected area under the helmet, near his neck, by a bouncer while representing South Australia against New South Wales; he died two days later.

The incident shocked the global cricket community, and the loss of the talented left-hander, who was just 25, deeply affected his teammates and fans alike. Hughes was widely regarded as one of the most popular and promising players in the Australian squad, known for his infectious spirit and dedication to the game.

Off the field, Hughes’ family has maintained a connection to his legacy, with his relatives still involved in the management of his Angus cattle farm, Four 0 Eight, on the New South Wales north coast. His tragic passing also left the cricketing world grappling with how to continue in the wake of such a loss. A

In a moving tribute, he was posthumously named as Australia's 13th man for the following Test in Adelaide, where the crowd observed 63 seconds of applause before play in his honour, a fitting tribute to a man whose spirit and contribution to the game will never be forgotten.