Remembering Phil Hughes

Under cloudless Australian skies, the Sydney Cricket Ground can feel almost cocooned from the cares of the world. Like all sports grounds, it was built to stage triumphs, not tragedies. But real life intruded in the most brutal fashion, as Philip Hughes passed away from his injuries exactly one year ago today.

South Australia batsman Phillip Hughes, 25, was struck on the neck during a Sheffield Shield match on November 25, attempting a hook shot to a head-high bouncer. The ball severed an artery, and Hughes died three days later.

The ball that struck him not only felled Hughes; it left an entire cricket community on its knees. For the team-mates who shared a changing room, his death was particularly savage.

The historic day-night Test against New Zealand will start today in Adelaide today.

His family have asked for a low-key anniversary and he will be honoured simply by players from both sides wearing black armbands, while during the first adjournment a tribute package will be screened at 4:08pm -- referring to Hughes' Test cap number.

"It's going to be a really tough day and I think the guys playing are going to do it tough," former Australian captain Michael Clarke, a close friend of Hughes who was a pallbearer at his funeral, told reporters.

“I think it's really important that we continue to support the Hughes family and show our respect."