The unbeaten “willow child”

The cricket world received a terrible jolt when ‪Phillip Hughes‬ died at the age of 25, after being struck by a bouncer on the side of his head, below the helmet. Playing a Shield game in Sydney, Hughes was hit when he missed an attempted hook, causing a cerebral haemorrhage. He underwent surgery after being rushed to hospital from the SCG but did not regain consciousness. His hometown, Macksville, came to a standstill for his funeral on December 3, which was attended by cricketers of every stripe, and dignitaries including the Australian prime minister Tony Abbott.

It’s been a year since, one of the brightest stars of cricket left us numb. The cricketing fraternity was left shell-shocked after a fatal and more of an unfortunate incident took place. In a Sheffield Shield match Hughes was hit by a dangerous bouncer by Sean Abbott. The talented batsman lost his life due to this. Here are three of his best innings.

Twin tons against South Africa in debut series

Hughes announced himself in promising fashion on his Test debut against South Africa, overcoming a four-ball duck first up with a classy 75 in his second innings. But nothing could have prepared the Proteas for what was to follow in the second Test in Durban. Hughes was merciless against the Proteas' devastating pace attack and spinners alike en route to a first-innings 115.

50-over claim made with another ton against Sri Lanka

Hughes only made his one-day international debut four years after his Test bow, and started in amazing fashion with a century against Sri Lanka in the opening match of a five-match series.

Hughes doubles up for Australia A

It may have only been for Australia A, but Hughes put himself back in the national reckoning in 2014 with a stunning double ton against Proteas' second string. Double centuries are a rarity in the one-day game, with Hughes becoming the first Australian male to register a 50-over 200, carting South Africa A to all parts of the ground in Darwin. His 202 came off 151 balls, including 18 fours and six sixes, with a big six hit off the final ball of the innings to bring up the historic milestone.