Michael Clarke (above) had dedicated the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final victory in memory of the late Phil Hughes © Getty Images
Wellington: Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has revealed that he still remembers his ‘little brother’ Phillip Hughes as the one year anniversary of the former Test batsman’s tragic death nears. Hughes succumbed to injuries on November 25 last year after being struck by a bouncer during a domestic match in Sydney. The 25-year-old South Australian batsman was knocked out after the ball made impact under his helmet, on the back of the neck. Recalling the tragic day, Clarke said that he thinks about his former team mate everyday and urged that the sporting community to continue supporting the Hughes family and show their respect there, Stuff.co.nz reported. READ: Michael Clarke wears black band in memory of Phil Hughes in final international game for Australia
Clarke gave a moving eulogy at Hughes’ funeral in December 2014 and dedicated Australia’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 final win to Hughes, whose death sent shockwaves across the world beyond the realm of the sport. Tributes poured in from all parts of the world, with several current and former cricketers attending his funeral at his hometown of Mackesville in New South Wales.
Clarke, who retired from all forms of the game at the end of the Ashes 2015, was seen wearing an arm-band with the initials P.H. in tribute to the late cricketer. Among the other developments following what can be termed as one of the most tragic events in sports, the helmet design underwent a change, with a guard coming up under the rear-side of the helmet, protecting the neck area where Hughes was fatally struck during the Sheffield Shield game between South Australia (for whom Hughes was playing) and New South Wales in Sydney.