'Impossible to comprehend what Abbott and Australia's players are feeling'
Thursday 27 November 2014 14:03, UK
Jason Gillespie says cricket “feels” for Sean Abbott following the tragic death of Phillip Hughes.
Abbott bowled the ball which hit Hughes on the neck during a Sheffield Shield game between New South Wales and South Australia on Tuesday and put the batsman in an induced coma.
And Gillespie told Sky Sports News that after Hughes’ passing on Thursday, at the age of 25, the sport is rallying around paceman Abbott.
Sean is a 22-year-old, lovely young kid, just running in and doing his job, and this was the last thing you expect to happen on a cricket field.
“Sean is a 22-year-old, lovely young kid, just running in and doing his job, and this was the last thing you expect to happen on a cricket field.
“He was bowling to one of his good mates as well so we are feeling for Abbott and for everyone on and off the field involved in that game.”
Former England seamer Steve Harmison said: "My heart goes out to Abbott.
"As a fast bowler you look to intimidate people but to see someone get hurt is not what you aim for, so I don’t think anyone can contemplate what’s going through his mind at this moment in time.
"He’s a good up-and-coming prospect at the start of his career playing the game he loves and hoping to represent Australia, so for this to happen to him is so sad.
"This will never go away from him so I just hope he manages to fulfil his talent."
Cricket Australia abandoned the latest round of Sheffield Shield fixtures following the Hughes incident, while day two of Pakistan and New Zealand’s second Test in Sharjah was also suspended until Friday.
Australia are still scheduled to face India in the first of four Tests next week, in Brisbane, and Gillespie says that if that match does go ahead, it will be “tough” for the home players.
“I think it was a good decision to abandon the current round of Sheffield Shield games and the ICC made a very respectful decision for Pakistan and New Zealand to have a rest day in their Test on Thursday,” said the former Australia seamer.
“It’s going to be hard for everyone in the Test match next week as this is a horrific circumstance, an absolute tragedy, that shouldn’t happen in sport.
“A lot of those lads have grown up playing cricket together and when they get together it will be tough. It is very hard to comprehend how they are feeling.”
Gillespie added: “This is devastating and I know a lot of people that are grieving back in Australia.
“Phillip was a very popular character - he played for New South Wales and was playing for South Australia against New South Wales when this happened.
“He was friends with everyone there and I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be there at that time.
“So I don’t think now is the time to talk about changes in cricket equipment, it’s time to grieve and pay respect to Phillip Hughes.
“There will be a time to discuss it but right now there is a family and a cricket community hurting as well as Phillip’s friends away from cricket.”
