Tough day awaits all in Macksville

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

AUSTRALIAN captain Michael Clarke will stand up in front of 5000 mourners at Macksville High School and deliver one of the most important duties of his life — a tribute to his "brother", Phillip Hughes.

Clarke and Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland will represent the game and speak — as well as a representative from the Hughes family — at an overflowing funeral service, which will be broadcast live around the country.

More than 400 cricket people, including all Australian contracted players, will feature among the 1000-strong congregation inside the school hall and the estimated 4000 more that will pack an adjacent oval and football field to watch on big screens.

FUNERAL DETAILS: AUSTRALIA PREPARES TO FAREWELL PHILLIP

HELPING OUT: CLARKE, FINCH CHOSEN TO BE PALLBEARERS

Macksville will be brought to a standstill for one of its favourite sons, who passed away in such tragic circumstances last week.

The town's population numbers 7000 and the large majority of them will be present for the emotional celebration of Hughes's life, which will also feature a guard of honour and public procession through the city streets.

Clarke's stoic leadership through the toughest of times has been clear for all to see this past week.

The front cover of Phillip Hughes' order of service booklet. Source: Supplied

The skipper fronted the media in the hours following Hughes's death to deliver an emotional message on behalf of the family, and then again on Saturday when he read a moving tribute from Australian players.

Clarke never left the side of the Hughes family when they were keeping a 48-hour vigil at St Vincent's Hospital, and he travelled to Macksville on Monday to offer further support.

The 33-year-old, who shared a close relationship with Hughes from the moment the fresh-faced country boy arrived at his Western Suburbs club nearly 10 years ago, has been staying outside Macksville and travelling in to provide whatever help he can.

The rest of the Australian squad and staff will travel together to Macksville from Sydney this morning for the service.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

They will stay as a team in Coffs Harbour before preparing to head to Adelaide to begin preparations for the first Test in the city starting on December 9.

But first, fast bowler Ryan Harris says Australian players hope to provide support for ­Hughes's family.

"Hopefully we'll have a get-together with a few of the family," Harris said.

"It would be nice to spend some time with the family if they're up for that. As a group and as a cricket family it will be nice to get together and celebrate what a legend he was."

Cricket was Hughes's life, but his funeral service will also be devoted just as much to his family and community life.

Tributes to Phillip Hughes have flooded his hometown of Macksville. Source: Getty Images

Hughes was passionate about his cattle and on tour would spend free time communicating with his father Greg about farm business that needed attending to.

The Australian cricket landscape will stop, with services featuring live broadcast sites set up around the country, including at the SCG, Adelaide Oval and the WACA.

Sixty-three engraved bats marking the highlights of Hughes's career will line the entrance to the SCG playing field.

The bats will ultimately form a permanent tribute at the ground.

In respect of Hughes's passing, the SCG Trust has announced it will retire the pitch which was in use during the South Australia and NSW match last week for the rest of the summer.

South Australia — Hughes's side — will be represented by all players and staff.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

NSW, who were playing against SA on that fateful afternoon last Tuesday and who called Hughes a teammate for so many years, will also be represented in full.

And the four other states will be heavily represented.

Victoria will send up 11 players, including Australian stars Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell.

Queensland are sending 13 players from their extended squad, including Hughes's former NSW teammates Usman Khawaja and Peter Forrest.

Western Australia will be led by Adam Voges, Michael Klinger, Michael Beer, Ashton Agar, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Johnson and Geoff Marsh, Christina Matthews, John Rogers, and Justin and Sue Langer.

A guard of honour will be formed by players on Park St, Macksville, for a walking procession, which will make its way to Macksville Ex-Services Club and take approximately 40 minutes.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Tough day awaits all in Macksville

Dengan url

http://ragaseni.blogspot.com/2014/12/tough-day-awaits-all-in-macksville.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Tough day awaits all in Macksville

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Tough day awaits all in Macksville

sebagai sumbernya