(Image Source: Instagram)
[Saba Sports News] In the ongoing third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australian opener David Warner marked his final Test appearance with a touching tribute to the late Phil Hughes, pausing to touch Hughes’ memorial plaque before heading to bat. This heartfelt moment quickly gained traction on social media.
Phil Hughes tragically passed away in November 2014, aged 25, after a cricket ball struck him on the neck during a Sheffield Shield game at the SCG. His death profoundly impacted the Australian cricket community, particularly Warner, who was present at the SCG during the incident. As Warner walked out to bat, he was honored with a guard of honour by the Pakistan team.
Set to retire from Test cricket after this match, Warner, who has achieved 26 centuries in 112 matches, expressed his enduring grief and the impact of Hughes’ legacy, acknowledging that Hughes’ memory still affects the team deeply.
Pakistan set a competitive first innings score of 313, thanks to half-centuries from Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, and Aamer Jamal. Rizwan and Salman contributed 88 and 53 runs respectively, while Jamal played a significant role, scoring a brisk 82 off 97 deliveries, mostly in the company of the tail-enders.
Australia began their response in the closing phase of the day, ending at six runs without loss. Warner and Usman Khawaja are at the crease, ready to resume their innings on the following day.