Sure a lot of us (myself included) were criticial of him and criticised his inclusion in squads, however a lot of that was more directed at BM's incessant adoration of the bloke and not meant with any malice toward the bloke.
As a cricketer from country NSW, I can fully appreciate and understand just how hard Phil worked to become a test cricketer. Earning a baggy green is the toughest thing any cricketer can hope to achieve, but it's just that extra bit harder for a country kid, as it generally means relocating away from family and friends and backing yourself to make it work, while competing with countless other talented individuals, who have possibly been privvy to better better training facilities and the like.
To have earnt that test selection is a massive credit to him and he took that opportunity immediately. His story is not supposed to end this way and It should not have ended this way. It's just not fair.
He was a son, a brother, a friend and a team mate more than anything else, and from all reports, he was very good at all of them. His on-field feats, many of which are impressive, pale into insignificance against the man that was Phil Hughes who has tragically passed away today.
RIP Hughesy
