Sean Abbott, the bowler whose delivery inflicted the injury that killed Phillip Hughes, has described how he tended to the stricken batsman in the moments after he was hit on the head
Sean Abbott and (inset) Phil Hughes
Sydney: Sean Abbott, the bowler whose delivery inflicted the injury that killed Phillip Hughes, has described how he tended to the stricken batsman in the moments after he was hit on the head.
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Hughes, who played for Middlesex and Worcestershire in the County Championship, died after being struck on the back of the head by Abbott's bouncer in a Sheffield Shield game between New South Wales and South Australia in November 2014.
In a statement released by the coroner's court, Abbott revealed harrowing details of the incident at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"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," said Abbott's statement, which was widely reported in the Australian media. "I remained on the field until Phillip was placed on the medicab 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."
Brad Haddin, Doug Bollinger and David Warner, who were playing for New South Wales, and Hughes' batting partner at the time Tom Cooper, have denied there was any element of unsportsmanlike behaviour in the match.
Abbott says he cannot remember being told to bowl aggressively at Hughes.
"I do not recall any particular instructions being given to the NSW team at lunchtime on that day or any discussion about a specific plan for the period after lunch, although there would have been a team chat," Abbott's statement added.
"I don't recall the details of any team chat on that day. I really don't remember the lunch period at all."
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