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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/nov/28/phillip-hughes-death-batting-approach-alastair-cook-england
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| Phillip Hughes death will not affect batting approach, says Alastair Cook | Phillip Hughes death will not affect batting approach, says Alastair Cook |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Wherever cricket is played on the globe there has been an outpouring of grief and sorrow at the death of Phillip Hughes over the last two days. And that most definitely includes Sri Lanka. | Wherever cricket is played on the globe there has been an outpouring of grief and sorrow at the death of Phillip Hughes over the last two days. And that most definitely includes Sri Lanka. |
| On the eve of the second one-day international in Colombo, Alastair Cook spoke simply and powerfully about the traumatic last few days for cricket and cricketers. He insisted that in the long run the terrible accident in Sydney would not change how the game was played, while acknowledging that in the immediate aftermath of such a tragedy it may be difficult to summon up the usual intensity on the field. | |
| He added that there was leeway for those especially close to Hughes in the England side – Moeen Ali, Steven Finn and Eoin Morgan were county colleagues – to withdraw from Saturday’s match if that is what they wished to, though the chances of this happening were very slim. The England and Wales Cricket Board and the Professional Cricketers Association are providing support networks for their players and they have been used by some of the touring players. | |
| “It was a really sad day, a tragic day for cricket and words I say here aren’t going to do anything justice,” said Cook. “Ours is an incredibly sad dressing room and all our thoughts are with the Hughes family and those Australian players who knew him so well.” | |
| He confirmed that a postponement of the second one-day international had been considered: “There were discussions about whether we should be playing but both sides agreed that we should carry on and show our respects to Phil and try to put on a good show.” | He confirmed that a postponement of the second one-day international had been considered: “There were discussions about whether we should be playing but both sides agreed that we should carry on and show our respects to Phil and try to put on a good show.” |
| Both teams – Cook’s outlook had earlier been mirrored by the Sri Lanka captain, Angelo Mathews – are aiming to play with the competitiveness that any international match warrants, however difficult that might be. “I don’t think we should change how we play cricket at all,” said Cook, “because I don’t think that’s the right way to go about it. | Both teams – Cook’s outlook had earlier been mirrored by the Sri Lanka captain, Angelo Mathews – are aiming to play with the competitiveness that any international match warrants, however difficult that might be. “I don’t think we should change how we play cricket at all,” said Cook, “because I don’t think that’s the right way to go about it. |
| “We’ve got to make sure we keep working as hard as we can with the [helmet] manufacturers and the authorities to make cricket as safe as we can but I certainly wouldn’t change the way I play.” | “We’ve got to make sure we keep working as hard as we can with the [helmet] manufacturers and the authorities to make cricket as safe as we can but I certainly wouldn’t change the way I play.” |
| Cook added that improvements in safety have been significant even during his time as a player. In theory this has been the safest era in which to play cricket. Even so he acknowledged that “this is a reminder of how dangerous the game can be, and how we cannot take anything for granted. It’s also a reminder of how precious life is and how lucky we are to be playing cricket.” | Cook added that improvements in safety have been significant even during his time as a player. In theory this has been the safest era in which to play cricket. Even so he acknowledged that “this is a reminder of how dangerous the game can be, and how we cannot take anything for granted. It’s also a reminder of how precious life is and how lucky we are to be playing cricket.” |
| Cook said he would remember Hughes as “an outstanding talent”, destined to be “a fantastic player for Australia”. He revealed that Hughes was one of those opponents that he could chat easily with once the contest was over: both left-handed opening batsmen – “though we probably went about things [at the crease] in a very different way” – and both passionate about farming and the country. | Cook said he would remember Hughes as “an outstanding talent”, destined to be “a fantastic player for Australia”. He revealed that Hughes was one of those opponents that he could chat easily with once the contest was over: both left-handed opening batsmen – “though we probably went about things [at the crease] in a very different way” – and both passionate about farming and the country. |
| This incident has prompted much talk of “the family of cricket”, a notion which Cook is prepared to recognise especially in the current climate when emotions are raw. “We might all be playing for different sides, different countries, but we’re pretty much the same guys, just trying to do our best for our teams at the sport we love.” | This incident has prompted much talk of “the family of cricket”, a notion which Cook is prepared to recognise especially in the current climate when emotions are raw. “We might all be playing for different sides, different countries, but we’re pretty much the same guys, just trying to do our best for our teams at the sport we love.” |
| No one involved in cricket will forget the last few days in a hurry. Every cricket lover, whatever his or her station, has been prompted to pause for thought and that includes the England captain, who may now even conclude that he does not have quite so many ponderous burdens on his plate. | No one involved in cricket will forget the last few days in a hurry. Every cricket lover, whatever his or her station, has been prompted to pause for thought and that includes the England captain, who may now even conclude that he does not have quite so many ponderous burdens on his plate. |
| “For me the last three days have clarified that it is just a game of sport,” said Cook, “and that we are incredibly lucky to be playing it. And there is a massive responsibility to do that the right way. Yes, we play hard, but in the right way.” | “For me the last three days have clarified that it is just a game of sport,” said Cook, “and that we are incredibly lucky to be playing it. And there is a massive responsibility to do that the right way. Yes, we play hard, but in the right way.” |