Worcestershire make Hughes shirt tribute

Worcestershire have unveiled a shirt for their pre-season tour that features a tribute to Phillip Hughes. The shirt, made by Canterbury, has 408 - Hughes' Australia Test cap number - on the sleeve, as well as "P. Hughes 63 not out" below the badge.

Hughes, who died last year after being struck by a ball, was a popular figure at New Road, where he spent much of the 2012 season. Shirts worn by Worcestershire players in Abu Dhabi will be auctioned off and there are also plans for it to be stocked in the club shop, with all proceeds going to charity.

"Following the tragic death of Phil Hughes at the back end of last year, without doubt it hit the club and the staff really hard," Worcestershire's commercial director, Jon Graham, said. "Phil was such a popular guy and, when things like that happen, you want to do something that is befitting of the individual and commemorate his name.

"For the trip to Abu Dhabi, we thought it would be a good idea to develop a one-off kit in honour of Phil's name. We have worked alongside Canterbury to design that and I'm sure the lads will be proud to wear that kit."

"All the playing kit that the lads wear in Abu Dhabi will be auctioned off throughout the course of the year. All proceeds will go to a charity of Phil Hughes' families choice. It is about recognising a very good player for Worcestershire and what an absolute legend of a man he was.

"We will also have a very limited run of the Phil Hughes kit that we will sell in the club shop, probably no more than 50 items."

The squad departed for their 11-day trip to the UAE this week, with Worcestershire allrounder Moeen Ali, currently away with England at the World Cup, tweeting a picture of the kit.

Great to see @WorcsCCC unveil commemorative shirt for Phil Hughes. Very befitting way to honour his memory #legend pic.twitter.com/BVh3wZWpCK

— Moeen Ali (@MoeenAli) March 3, 2015