“I think that earned adulation and respect from not just Australian people, but also people around the world”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has admitted that he was “in awe” about how Australia skipper Michael Clarke coped with the tragic death of his team-mate and friend Phillip Hughes.

Hughes passed away in November last year after being struck on the side of the neck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney.

“I think we saw during the tragic circumstances around Phil Hughes’ passing how strong a leader he is and the way that he carried himself and the way that he spoke on behalf of the team,” McCullum said. “I think that earned adulation and respect from not just Australian people, but also people around the world. We were certainly in awe of how he was able to handle himself during that time.”