Victorians Hold Press Conference
Thursday, January 22 2004
The Victorian state cricket squad, shattered by the tragic loss of coach David Hookes, earlier this morning held a press conference to discuss the passing of one of Australian cricket's favourite sons.
In a courageous display state captain Darren Berry, a long time friend of Hookes read a statement on behalf of the playing squad and team management expressing their deepest sentiments on the loss of their coach - a mentor both in and away from the game.
Towards the end of his statement, Berry broke down, taking deep breaths in an attempt to bravely finish the statement, which he did.
Before the conference Victorian management asked that questions about Sunday night's happening should not be asked.
In a blatant show of disrespect, the first question after the statement asked just about that.
As the press conference continued ING Cup captain Cameron White answered questions on the man that has helped mould him into one of the most highly-rated talents on the domestic circuit.
As he continued to speak, the distress became painfully clear, with the 21-year-old in visible discomfort like his captain Berry.
The loss experienced by the squad and its effect is indescribable. Each and every member of the party looked jaded by the distressing occurrences of the week thus far.
Senior opening batsmen Matthew Elliott spoke highly and fondly of his coach, expressing his impressed thoughts on the way the coach nurtured and developed a young squad into the season's Pura Cup leaders.
The conference marked the squad's first public appearance since the tragedy.
Caretaker coach Greg Shipperd sighted the need for the side to move forward in a positive manner, and stated that training would resume tomorrow at the MCG.
For the squad, tomorrow is another massive stepping-stone in the long and painstaking journey towards recovery as they come face-to-face with 'Hookesy's' famous 'Wrath' room, where the cold truth was always told.
The Pura Cup match between Hookes' states of Victoria and South Australia that was due to begin yesterday has been postponed until February 8.
The much-loved cricketing personalities funeral will be held on Tuesday at the Adelaide Oval, while there will also be a service at the MCG.
The Australian side will wear black armbands in today's VB Series match against India, where a moments silence will be observed before the match.
Squad members Jason Gillespie and Ian Harvey have been hardest hit by the tragic news, with each man being a close friend of the former Australian batsman.
Commercial TV station Channel 9 will show a package on the life of Hookes following the conclusion of the match.
Meanwhile, Zdravco Micevic's charge of assault on Hookes has been upgraded to manslaughter by Victorian authorities.
The accused missed his meeting with police yesterday and is said to be 'suicidal' following the developments.
The tragic situation was best summed-up by captain Darren Berry, stating:
"Your one of a kind mate. We'll never forget you."
Yet in true Hookes fashion, the squad is finding the energy to move forward.
Each man has taken inspiration from the voice in the back of their heads giving them one simple yet so typically Hookes-like message:
"Get on with it, boys."
While the squad is set to return to some sort of normality, the sense of anything normal in the squad will take a lifetime to occur.
Posted by Andre
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