County to pay tribute to Phillip Hughes

Northamptonshire will wear Phillip Hughes' name on their shirts during next summer's tour match

The 25-year-old died after a blow to the head during a Sheffield Shield game last week in an incident that stunned the sporting world.

And with County hosting the touring Australians in August they have decided to wear shirts bearing Hughes’ name along with ‘63 not out’, the score he was on when he suffered his fatal injury.

Northamptonshire captain Alex Wakely explained: “Phil Hughes was one of the best young players in the world and I am sure he was destined to play consistently for Australia.

“His tragic death has shocked the whole world and especially the cricketing community.

“I was lucky enough to play against him on a few occasions and, along with his raw talent, it was his smile and enthusiasm for the game that stood out to me.

“It has been incredible to see the support coming in from all angles for his family and friends and I wanted Northants to do the same.

“As players, we could not be more proud to wear his name on our shirts during the Australia tour match.

“Everybody at Northants Cricket will honour his name and he will never be forgotten.”

The match takes place at the County Ground over the weekend of August 14-16.