Hughes inquest examines tactics, sledging

Short-bowling tactics and allegations of sledging were placed under the microscope on day one of the New South Wales Coroner's inquest into the death of Phillip Hughes.

Witnesses including Brad Haddin, the NSW captain on the day, and pace bowler Doug Bollinger were examined on issues surrounding the events of November 25, 2014, when Hughes, playing for South Australia, was struck on the side of the neck by a short ball delivered by Sean Abbott in a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.

The blow caused a severe arterial injury that rendered him unconscious within seconds and ultimately ended his life in St Vincent's Hospital two days later.

Members of the Hughes family, who were present for the inquest at Sydney's Downing Centre court complex, had raised concerns about the bowling Hughes was subjected to on the day, and also about some of the comments allegedly directed to him prior to the blow.

It was alleged, in the examination of detective senior constable Jay Tonkin of NSW Police by the Hughes' family's legal representative Greg Melick SC, that Bollinger had uttered the words "I'm going to kill you", something the bowler strongly denied with the words, "I know in my heart I didn't say that." Hughes' parents, Greg and Virginia, were seen to shake their heads when Bollinger offered his denial.

Haddin was queried on tactical discussions about how to dismiss Hughes, given that he had established himself at the crease by lunch. Haddin stated he had discussions with the then NSW coach Trevor Bayliss about how to change the flow of the game, but denied any specific plans to bowl short.

The field placings used by Haddin after lunch - interpreted by some as to cater for short bowling - were, he said, devised to reduce the scoring rate. Haddin also stated that if he had wished to deliver a short-pitched attack on Hughes, he would have used other bowlers, pointing out that the spinner Nathan Lyon was operating opposite Abbott at the time.

However David Warner, in an earlier statement offered to the inquest, stated that the NSW team had previously formulated a plan for Hughes. "The team had developed a plan of how to get Phil out," he said. "Basically it was to bowl at or over leg stump and get Phil moving backwards instead of forwards."

Asked initially to recall events, Haddin spoke vividly of the moment Hughes was struck. "It was like something I've never witnessed before in my life," he said. "It was the noise. The groan. The way he fell straight down, motionless without trying to break the fall." As part of the first day's proceedings, the inquest viewed footage of the over in which Hughes was hit. Members of the Hughes family left the room at this time.

Proceedings had opened with addresses from the NSW Coroner, Michael Barnes QC, and the Counsel assisting the Coroner, Kristina Stern, SC. Barnes spoke about the toll the week's events were likely to take on the Hughes family in particular. "It is important to note that Phillip Hughes was, before anything else, a son and a brother," he said.

"To his family, who have been devastated, he was much more than a fabulous cricketer. I offer them my sincere condolences. I can appreciate these proceedings may be harrowing for them. It may exacerbate their raw pain. I deeply regret that, and only hope the improved safety that may result justifies that pain.

"Cricket is not generally seen as dangerous or violent. But that does not mean cricket can't be made safer."

Stern's address laid out numerous avenues of inquiry, and also outlined the timeline of events from the moment Hughes was struck to the time he made it into surgery at St Vincent's Hospital about an hour later. However she made clear that the type of injury sustained by Hughes meant, "None of the chronologies set out above had any impact on the death of Phillip Hughes, which appears to have been inevitable from the point of impact."

That left much focus to be placed on events leading up to the ball that struck Hughes. "Concerns have been raised in relation to the number of short balls that were delivered by the pace bowlers to Phillip Hughes," Sterns said. "And as to tactics during the afternoon session that day.

"In particular, concern has been expressed that the NSW team may have been bowling short at Phillip Hughes for a good majority of the time after lunch, in order to restrict the run rate and get him out. And as to whether the umpires should have taken steps to prevent this.

"There has also been some concern expressed as to any sledging that may have taken place that day. [Phillip's brother] Jason Hughes has, with the benefit of the video footage available, prepared a ball by ball analysis of the short-pitched deliveries that will assist your honour in understanding these issues."

Before the inquest began, Hughes' manager James Henderson delivered a statement on behalf of the family. "This is going to be a very, very, very difficult week for Greg, Virginia, Jason and Megan," Henderson told reporters outside the court. "They haven't been looking forward to this week, and they're hoping that perhaps there will be a positive that comes out of Phillip's death as we go through the next five days in the Coroner's court."

James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, also spoke before the inquest began. Sutherland had delayed his departure for the next round of ICC meetings in Cape Town, South Africa, in order to be present for the start of the inquest.

"We never want to see a tragedy like this happen on the cricket field, and to that end we have the utmost respect for the coronial inquest process that we will need to go through this week," he said. "We won't be providing a running commentary dealing with specific issues through the week, but we do hope something good comes from this process."

The inquest continues on Tuesday with further witness examinations.