Cricketers and fans around the world have been paying tribute to Phillip Hughes via a social media campaign by leaving their cricket bats out and sharing a picture with the message #putoutyourbats on Twitter. Pictures of bats posted with hashtag #putoutyourbats have flooded Twitter, a day after the 25-year-old cricketer succumbed to his injuries at St Vincent’s Hospital.
India batsman Ajinkya Rahane displayed his bat with the Indian cap on it and wrote: “RIP Phil Hughes #PutOutYourBat #CricketFamily.” While Suresh Raina also posted a similar photograph, saying: “Rip Phil Hughes #63notoutforever.”
Google Australia’s home page also bears a picture of a bat. The International Cricket Council posted on its twitter handle: “The cricket world continues to mourn the loss of Phillip Hughes, it is time now for everybody to #putoutyourbat.”
Dean Jones put out his 1989 Ashes bat.. And wrote: “#RIPHughesy #putoutyourbats.”
Former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Gilchrist, posted a picture of four bats leaning against a gate, saying ‘From the Gilly kids’. “#PutOutYourBats #RIPPhillipHughes,” said Gilchrist.
England’s Jonathan Trott displayed a picture of his bat with national cap on it and wrote: “What more can I say... #putoutyourbats.”
Similarly, Steve Smith also put up a picture of his bat with national cap on his, saying, “#putoutyourbats missing the little fella. #408forever.”
West Indies batting great Viv Richards and former England skipper Michael Vaughan also contributed a picture. “Rest In Peace Phillip Hughes #putoutyourbats,” twitted Richards.