Phillip Hughes death: Bowler Doug Bollinger accused of saying ‘I’m going to kill you’ to batsman during tragic match
AN opponent of tragic Phillip Hughes has denied telling the batsman “I’m going to kill you” before a cricket ball hit him on the neck and later killed him.
An inquest in Australia has called his death “inevitable” and has raised concerns over short-fast bowling deliveries that could pose a lethal threat to batsmen.
Phillip Hughes was hit by a fast ball to the back of the neck in 2014Getty ImagesPhillip Hughes collapsed to the ground and had to be tended to after being hit in the neckGetty ImagesFellow players rushed over to Phillip Hughes immediately after he hit the floor at the Sydney Cricket GroundGetty ImagesPhillip Hughes never regained consciousness after the ball hit him on the back of the neck causing a brain hemmorrhageGetty Images
The five-day hearing is looking at whether Hughes’ death could have been avoided.
And the coroners are also exploring why sledging went on in the match between Hughes’ South Australia and his former side New South Wales.
The coroner’s counsel Kristina Stern said Hughes’ death “appears to have been inevitable from the point of impact.”
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And Hughes' lawyer Greg Melick also suggested opposing bowler Doug Bollinger told the 25-year-old "I'm going to kill you" in the moments before his team-mate Sean Abbott delivered the fatal ball.
But Bollinger, now 35, denies saying this to his former team-mate.
He said: "I know in my heart I didn't say that."
Hughes was hit in the neck by a delivery from Abbott, before wheeling around and collapsing at the Sydney Cricket Ground on November 25, 2014.
Doug Bollinger denied telling Phillip Hughes "I'm going to kill you"Getty ImagesPhillip Hughes had 26 caps for the Australian test cricket teamPA:Press AssociationPhillip Hughes was highly respected in Australia and his death sent shockwaves throughout the sport worldwideGetty ImagesCricket fans worldwide paid tribute to Phillip Hughes by leaning bats against walls and fences near cricket pitches like this one at LordsPA:Press Association
Hughes - who was also had 26 test caps for Australia - then died in hospital two days later, from a brain haemorrhage.
Australian cricket then went into a state of mourning after losing a promising player in the shocking tragedy.
New South Wales coroner Michael Barnes said the death was: "Completely unexpected and shocking. Quite clearly the death was a terrible accident.
"That does not mean cricket cannot be made safer."
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