Cook: England players in shock over Hughes

England captain Alastair Cook said his players were in a state of shock after hearing about Australia batsman Phil Hughes' plight, as many of the England players had competed in county cricket with and against the batsman.
Hughes was in critical condition in a Sydney hospital after being struck on the head, behind his ear and off his helmet, by a bouncer on Tuesday. Cook was speaking ahead of his side's ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Cook said: "Since we woke up this morning, the whole team have been in a bit of shock all day. All our thoughts and prayers are with Phillip.
"It's a really saddening incident. Fingers crossed, he can show the same fight he's shown throughout his whole career and he can pull through."
Cook didn't want to be drawn into a discussion on helmet safety though, adding: "It's probably not the time and place to be talking about that in this moment in time.
"The whole dressing room is just massively concerned for Phillip.
"As for player safety (and equipment), at the moment it's kind of irrelevant. It's all about him, and his family and friends. We send him our best from here.
"This is just something very unexpected. For that tragedy to happen on a cricket field, I'd never heard of anything (like it)."
The skipper then added that serious injuries were not common because of helmets, and that Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad's recent injury could have been a lot worse. He added that batsmen assumed the risk when playing.
He said: "Thankfully, they are rare. It does make you aware that when a guy is bowling 90mph it is a dangerous game. But we hope it is an isolated incident."
Latest
-
News
England all-rounder Ben Stokes doubts he will ever hit peak
The 29-year-old says he takes inspiration from captain Joe Root.
-
News
The key questions about rescheduled Hundred
The inaugural tournament for the 100-ball competition was postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
-
News
Graham Thorpe urges England’s batsmen to step up and lighten burden on Joe Root
No touring batsman accumulated more than Moeen Ali’s 49 runs across two innings in the second Test.
-
News
Chaminda Vaas resigns just three days into Sri Lanka job
Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas...
-
News
England batsman Zak Crawley fit again and aiming to keep improving
The Kent batsman scored 35 runs across four innings in Sri Lanka last month.
-
News
James Anderson understands benefits of England’s ‘frustrating’ rotation policy
The seamer was rested for the second Test in India.
-
News
Heather Knight looking forward to England’s return to ODI action in New Zealand
The series is the first since England’s domestic set-up became fully professional.
-
News
Kumar Sangakkara confirms possible IPL clash for England stars
Stokes, Archer and Buttler could miss Test duty to stay with Rajasthan Royals.
-
News
Mark Wood: England seamers are thinking pink ahead of day/night Test
England’s seam attack have seen the ball swing and bounce during net sessions in Ahmedabad.
-
News
Tash Farrant: ECB pro deal gave me fresh lease of life
The left-armer is making her international comeback in New Zealand.