Phil Hughes inquest: Family walk out of court as lawyers criticise players for failing to answer questions in over death of Australia batsman
The five-day inquest into death of Hughes - who was fatally struck in the neck at a game in Sydney in 2014 - has ended
THE five-day inquest into the death of Australia ended today with the coroner expected to release his findings on November 4.
Hughes, who played 26 Tests and 25 ODIs for Australia, died in 2014 after being fatally struck by a ball in the neck during a domestic game in 2014.
New South Wales state coroner Michael Barnes is investigating whether the nature of play contributed to the death of the 25-year-old.
He is also investigating the response by officials and the ambulance service and whether new guidelines on safety equipment need to be introduced.
The counsel for the Hughes family, Greg Melick SC, was critical of players called to give evidence during the inquest.
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Players had repeatedly answered "no recollection" or "I can't recall" to his questions, according to the Associated Press.
He said: "At the end of the day, there was a plan, there was sledging, and short-pitched balls were bowled at Phillip Hughes, which increased the risk of an injury.
"Nine consecutive short-pitched balls from the one bowler aimed at leg stump or the body of the batsman was going too far."
A lawyer for the family also said that Hughes, playing for South Australia against his former team New South Wales, was subjected to an extraordinary amount of short balls.
Umpires are said to have failed to keep the short-ball pitch count to just two, while fast bowler Doug Bollinger is alleged to have made a comment that sounded like "I'm going to kill you".
Bollinger denied using the phrase.
His team-mates, including current Australia vice-captain David Warner, say they don't remember hearing any threat - Hughes' team-mate Tom Cooper, who was also on the field at the time, also said he didn't remember any threats from the bowlers.
Sean Abbott, who bowled the fatal delivery, gave a statement but was not required to attend.
The players and umpires involved said there was nothing unusual about the nature of the play that day.