http://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/27/sport/cricket-hughes-abbott-harmison-jones-australia/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Bowler left in 'heartbreaking' place after Phil Hughes death
November 27, 2014 -- Updated 1951 GMT (0351 HKT)
Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison told CNN that the death of Australian batsman Phil Hughes -- caused by a blow to head from a ball bowled by Sean Abbott -- was "heartbreaking."
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Former England fast bowlers express sympathy for Australian Sean Abbott
- Abbott bowled the ball that struck and killed batsman Phil Hughes
- Simon Jones and Steve Harmison hope Abbott can rebuild his career
- Jones says the mindset of a fast bowler is akin to "going to war"
(CNN) -- To many outsiders, cricket can seem like a pedestrian pursuit.
But the tragic death of Australian batsman Phil Hughes has prompted the "gentlemen's game" to ask itself serious and searching questions about safety.
The 25-year-old was struck on the head by a ball from fast bowler Sean Abbott during a state match in Sydney and died on Thursday from his injuries.
Tributes have flooded in for Hughes but the cricket family has also shown acute concern for Abbott, who, at just 22, has been shattered by his inadvertent role in a former teammate's death.
And a pair of former England fast bowlers are united in the hope that Abbott, who recently made his debut for Australia in the limited overs format, can eventually rebuild his career.
"I don't think there's anybody on this planet that could understand what Sean Abbott is going through," Steve Harmison, who took 222 Test wickets for his country, told CNN.
"You can be told, told and told it's not your fault but what that kid is going through is heartbreaking. From a bowling point of view, how does he do his job?
"He's 22-years-old, he's doing something he loves to do. Probably all he's ever wanted to do is play cricket and represent Australia. Deep down as an individual, is he going to be able to pull his boots on again and bowl a cricket ball?
"It would change my approach as a fast bowler if it was me. It would have to. You'd be frightened to let go of the ball. That's natural. We're not dealing with robots, we're dealing with human beings.
"It is just a freak accident. He'll never get over it but I hope for his sake that he can live a life that comes close to what he was expecting before what happened two days ago."
Harmison carved out a reputation as a formidable pace bowler during his seven-year international career with England, regularly hitting speeds of 90mph plus.
The native of Ashington in the north east of England earned the nickname 'Grevious Bodily Harmison' thanks to ferocious spells that included plenty of short balls.
He and Simon Jones were part of a venerated 2005 England attack that helped the country win a first Ashes battle against old foes Australia for 18 years.
I don't think there's anybody on this planet that could understand what Sean Abbott is going through
Steve Harmison, former England bowler
Steve Harmison, former England bowler
And while both Harmison and Jones were united in their grief at Hughes' death, the pair believe the art of fast bowling -- built on aggression and intimidation -- should remain unchecked.
"The mindset of bowling is almost like you are going to war," Jones explained to CNN.
"It's my job when I'm representing my country to do my job to the best of my ability and it's the same for the opposing batter. I want to try and impose myself on the opposition.
"If you see a batter getting comfortable that's when you bowl him a short ball. Yes, you are aiming for the throat or the head but you don't mean to hurt anyone.
"It's aggression but controlled aggression. You bowl to a methodical plan, try and work a batter out and use whichever ball you have in your armory to get them out.
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