Phil Hughes is an apt example for our cricketers

Updated on: 08 February,2009 07:14 AM IST |
Khalid A-H Ansari | smdmail@mid-day.com

DARSHAK Mehta, Sydney businessman, cricket aficionado and occasional contributor to SUNDAY MID DAY, has sent us a note about an incident which should be a lesson to our budding cricketers, as well as the ones who have arrived but have their swollen heads in the sky

It concerns Phillip Hughes, generally considered an exciting Australian batting prodigy and a great White Hope at a time when that nation's cricket team is no longer the cock of the walk.

Mehta writes: "Perhaps, what is not as widely known is that (Hughes) has the qualities of a thoroughly decent, modest young man that far exceed his obvious cricketing talent.

Mature

Phillip Hughes. Pic courtesy/Fox Sports.com

"He is mentally way more mature than his physical age of 20.

"On Australia Day (January 26) this year, we invited him to come around for a couple of hours to a (local) charity cricket game.

"Not only did he do so punctually, he spent time talking to spectators, signing autographs, having a couple of beers and generally was a credit to our noble game.

"Apparently, he came to the ground by cab from his home and got back in a taxi back all at his own cost, too!

Mehta writes: "In these days of spoilt 'celebrities' and their outrageous appearance fees, such stories of refreshingly normal behaviour don't often make it into the public realm."

We couldn't agree more in the Indian context, as well.

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