Pup talks about him as a brother, but to some extent their relationship reads like a sort of father-son connection. Pup was nurturing him and prepping him to get the very best out of himself, on and off the pitch. Deadset mentor and pupil, passing the torch stuff. As I understand it, Boof was intent on having him reach a certain standard before he found his way into the side again. He knew the talent, and wanted him absolutely elite. Non-negotiable. Didn't want to drop him again. They all knew he was close, and believe you me he would've averaged 50+ at career's end. And few would have deserved it more. The all-round tragedy of it is just gut-wrenching. It still makes me feel sick.
Having likely spent the most time around him the most recently of most of the people there to honour him, and being a fellow professional cricketer who has been through the ringer and out the other side. And shared the very same dream. Pup knows in his fibres just how much fulfillment and joy was snapped away from this young kid, how much was just *right* there. Right ****ing there, about to unfold. He was ****ing watching it, and nurturing him through to reach it. As a young man who has lived the dream and done the work, he must feel cold and sick, and his guts must be churning every moment he thinks about it.