Updated 14.25
CRICKET BATS WERE pictured leaning against front doors, stadiums and statues on Friday as the spontaneous #putoutyourbats tribute to fallen batsman Phillip Hughes went viral.
Pictures of bats posted with the hashtag flooded Twitter as ordinary fans and star players alike joined in the touching memorial, a day after the 25-year-old’s death.
West Indies legend Viv Richards was among the cricketers to contribute, and Google Australia’s home page was decorated with the simple picture of a bat.
In Dublin, two hurleys were placed at the base of the statue of GAA founder Michael Cusack in Croke Park while Tipperary hurler Brendan also paid his respects.
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Previously anonymous Sydney cricket fan Paul D. Taylor, who started the campaign, tweeted that he was “amazed and humbled” by the response.
He politely said “thank you, but no thank you” to media outlets requesting interviews, explaining: “#putoutyourbats isn’t about me.
“It’s just a way for all cricketers to show their respects to Phillip Hughes,” Taylor wrote, under his handle @Squizabilly.
“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. This is our way to connect and show our sadness.”
Tributes to Hughes, who died from head injuries on Thursday two days after taking a ball to the head while batting, were taking place throughout the sporting world.
Flags flew at half-mast at Melbourne Cricket Ground and local cricket teams around Australia and India paused to observe a minute’s silence for the Australian international.
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Golf’s world number one Rory McIlroy, playing at the Australian Open in Sydney, had a black ribbon pinned to his cap.
Pakistan and New Zealand, who called off Thursday’s play in the third Test in Sharjah, observed a minute’s silence and wore black armbands in tribute when the match resumed on Friday.
Before heading out, the New Zealand players placed their bats outside the team’s dressing with their national black caps on them to join the “#putoutyourbats” campaign.
Fans of Western Sydney Wanderers planned a minute’s applause at 63 minutes — Hughes’ score when he was struck down — of Saturday’s derby match against Sydney FC.
And Australia’s rugby team will wear black armbands when they play England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Tennis star Rafael Nadal and New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team were among the large and diverse group to send their condolences after the extremely rare fatality.
– First published 08.16; additional reporting by Adrian Russell
Might have been better to put off posting this celebratory article for a little while
@Kevin Ryan: yes it’s a bit like the media are shovelling it rather than spoiling us, more curry chips than Ferrero Roche, oh wait, I prefer the former….
It’s like the 42 has become the Joe Schmidt tribute page this summer. I know things aren’t going well right now but can we leave it off until the RWC is finished ? That’s the litmus test for any coach, no matter how successful you are between world cups.
@Daire Cullinane:
That is your litmus test not mine ::if you were following Ireland since the 60s you would know what I mean ::Do better in W C great but I would never give up those days against N Z :: SA:: Aus:: England ::If you followed it for 10 years what would you know about all the loses we have felt over the 40 years :: no matter what happens next month you can never take that those years away from US
About the author =Volkswagen..
Are ye having a laugh? Are ye trying to push people who read your content away?
Dear Volkswagen I always take a dim view of brands that refuse to sponsor or support a sports team directly, but are wallets out to hijack the coverage of said sport. Grow a pair and get stuck in. If you do already it would be a great idea for example, to begin your speil with VW; proud sponsors of Clontarf/Garryowen/etc and then blah blah away. I buy sponsors products as a rule. But, you have a long way to go to match Land Rover in this game.
We all love Rugby .We all want Ireland to do well
When things go off kilter the Provincial garbage comes to the fore. Mostly from the Munster crowd ,the blame game.Joe has beaten everybody when winning I have read laughable comments on Johnny Sexton would you have him as a Captain ?
Munster supporters reign it in cos there will always be a rainy day were you can enjoy yourselves stomping on other provincial players ,can you stop for one moment being the most childish churlish posters on here .
This is the WC I see green there is no P in Ireland
Not a first series win in Australia