The incident took place during third Pakistan, Australia T20I
09 November, 2019
PHOTO COURTESY: Cricket Australia
English commentator Simon Hughes received significant criticism after his inappropriate remark for Australia pacer Sean Abbott, during the BT Sports coverage of third T20 International (T20I) between Australia and Pakistan in Perth.
Abbott was part of the Australian linuep for the first time since 2014 after couple of successful seasons in the Big Bash League (BBL).
However, Hughes’ introduction of Abbott was based on the Phillip Hughes tragedy, much to the disappointment of the viewers, which shook Australian cricket almost five years ago.
"A rare opportunity for Sean Abbott to play, the man who is most famous probably for having the terrible misfortune of bowling the ball that killed Phillip Hughes in the middle," said Hughes during the live coverage.
Omg as if he’s just said that??? pic.twitter.com/IMVmqq9xcw
— The Big Show (@ravi_layer) November 8, 2019
For his economical bowling figures of 2/14 in four overs and playing a key role in his side’s series clinching victory over Pakistan, Abbott was declared player of the match.
It must be noted that Australian batsman Hughes died on November 27, 2014 from a rare head injury after a sickening on-field blow in one of the highest-profile sporting fatalities since the death of Formula One great Ayrton Senna.
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Hughes never regained consciousness after being hit at the base of the skull by a rising ball from Abbott, while batting for South Australia against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
What has Simon Hughes ever done that was good?
— Nick (@SharlandNM) November 8, 2019
Simon Hughes doesn’t advocate for men’s mental health nor does he seem to care the impact his words have on athletes. A public apology should be issued and he should be fired, never to commentate again.
— Ashlee (@_itsashleeee_) November 8, 2019
Not going to quote tweet a certain overseas broadcaster's reference to Sean Abbott because that would give it more airtime but it was seriously cavalier and deplorable stuff #AusvPak
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) November 8, 2019
Did I really just hear Simon Hughes say that 👀👀👀 blimey 🤦🏻♂️
— Steve Hayes (@SHkingofswing) November 8, 2019
Simon Hughes’ ability to read the room just gets worse and worse by the day. #AUSvPAK https://t.co/Jvu7i4exbF
— Tom Carpenter (@Carpo34) November 8, 2019
Really poor reporting... usually I quite like Simon Hughes, but unfortunately this one missed the mark big time. #AUSvPAK https://t.co/Yn6YWvImZP
— Sam Tugwell (@samtugwell_15) November 8, 2019
