Melbourne: Australian skipper Michael Clarke has offered his full support to distraught bowler Sean Abbott, whose unfortunate bouncer led to the tragic death of young batsman Phillip Hughes.
The 22-year-old Abbott has been undergoing counselling ever since the accident took place during a domestic match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Clarke said no one blames Abbott for the unfortunate incident and the entire Australian team stands behind him and will support him in returning to the sport.
"I would like to say some words about Sean Abbott. This is a tremendous young man with a bright future whose life has changed forever by this accident. And that's what it is - a freak accident," Clarke said.
"No-one - not one single person - blames him in any way for what has happened. He deserves our full support, he will absolutely have mine whenever he needs it, and I know that also goes for the entire Australian cricket community.
"Sean, when you feel like getting back on the horse mate, I promise you that I will be the first to strap on the pads and go stand up the end of the net to hit them back at you. It's exactly what Hugh Dog would want us both to do," Clarke was quoted as saying in 'Herald Sun'.
Clarke, who was a close friend of Hughes, also paid glowing tribute to the young Australian and thanked his country men for their support during this crisis.
"I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Australian public for the wonderful words of support that Phillip's family and team mates have received over the last several days. It's really brought home to me what I guess I have always known- that all of us who love this game are a family - a big, wide, culturally diverse, passionate family," he said.
