I don’t have very much to add to the many, many words that have been and will be written about what’s occurred to this fine man and cricketer. His teammates, who seem like just another bunch of young guys rather than hardened international cricketers all of a sudden, are obviously really, really hurting.
A player dying on the field in a first class match on a decent pitch wearing the same modern equipment everyone uses is literally a freak. I’ve watched international players work up serious speed in the nets, but I’d have thought getting hit would have been more ‘really fucking painful’ than ‘fatal’, as everyone does.
It brings home that you need to extremely mentally tough to play at the higher levels where the bowling is fast – but after all, cricket is literally playing, it’s a game. Cricket’s about summer, competing and enjoying yourself, no-one’s meant to die doing it.
I’d recommend the following:
Cricket Australia’s video tribute (CA are doing fine work in extremely tough circumstances, FWIW).
@rustyjacko‘s fine obituary in the Guardian
Jim Maxwell announces the news on Australian radio
Gideon Haigh reacts on the radio and in The Australian
