Been following things from afar and have found it all very emotional and sad. I can only imagine what the sense of national grief must be like over in Oz. The way the global cricketing family has reacted to this tragedy has blown me away. It’s reinforced all the values I love about cricket of doing things the right way on and off the pitch and the amazing camaraderie that comes with playing together.
Michael Clarke has gone up hugely in my estimation. He’s behaved with huge dignity and bravery in equal measures. It was very fitting that his moving eulogy centred so much on the spirit of cricket. I hope the legacy of this tragic accident is that when things threaten to boil over in the heat of battle in future players take a step back and think. Cricket is diminished in my eyes by incidents like the Clarke and Anderson break your arm comments in the last Ashes series that cross the line of acceptability. I know Anderson is no shrinking violet by the way and for me it’s not acceptable whoever does it. So let’s hope global cricket can reinforce the values cricket lovers everywhere cherish.
And on that note, I’ll get off my high horse and think of Phil Hughes and his loved ones and place my virtual cap on my virtual bat. RIP 408, 63 not out forever, #putyourbatsout
Cheers,
Ben
