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'Put out your bats' tribute to cricketer Phillip Hughes goes global

It began as a single, simple tribute from a cricket fan to batsman Phillip Hughes, who died ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

07.01 28 Nov 2014


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'Put out your bats&...

'Put out your bats' tribute to cricketer Phillip Hughes goes global

Newstalk
Newstalk

07.01 28 Nov 2014


Share this article


It began as a single, simple tribute from a cricket fan to batsman Phillip Hughes, who died after suffering a severe head injury during a Sydney cricket match.

IT worker Paul Taylor got his old cricket bat and put it outside his front door in Sydney, a cricket cap slung on the handle.

Then he posted it on Twitter to his few dozen followers with the hashtag #putoutyourbats.

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Within a few minutes the idea caught on.

Fans around Australia copied the idea. All generations of cricket lovers were getting their bats and putting them outside the front door or in the window, as a mark of respect to batsman Hughes.

Then, around the world, others did the same.

Youngsters grabbed their faithful bat from their school sports bag, while fans from an older generation hunted around the house before dusting off their old bat and doing the same.

Even Google Australia changed their homepage to pay tribute to the young cricketer.

"This is a time for all cricketers near and far to remember Phillip Hughes, and the game we grew up with," Mr Taylor wrote on his Twitter account.

"It's just a way for all cricketers to show their respects to Phillip Hughes. We've all played cricket in one way or other. Backyard or beach cricket, no matter what level we've all grown up with a bat and ball."

Mr Taylor has also asked fans to spare a thought for Sean Abbott, the 22-year-old who bowled the bouncer which led to the batsman's death.

"This is our way to connect and show our sadness. Thoughts also must go to Sean Abbott."

Cricket Australia has joined in the remarkable tribute:

CEO James Sutherland said his staff had placed 63 bats in the front office window marking Phillip Hughes' final score of 63 not out.

Outside Channel 9's Sydney studios a lone bat stood to attention.

A line of willow was photographed outside Macksville Public School in the rural town where Phillip Hughes grew up.

At the SGC where the tragedy happened, bats mingled amongst the bouquets of flowers and messages.

Former Australian batsman Dean Jones posted a photo of his bat, being guarded by his dog:

In the UK sports writer with the Independent, Glenn Moore, took a picture of four bats in his home:

Also joining in the mark of respect was Australian Olympic cycling champion Anna Meares, former England captain Michael Vaughan and Jonathan Trott. Other tributes poured in from Bogota to Essex.

Google has also paid tribute to Phillip Hughes by putting a bat on the homepage of its Australian site:


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