Ashes 2015: Michael Clarke dismissed at 4:08 pm on Day 1 of Oval Test!

One can view it as one of the strangest coincidences — the late Phil Hughes was the 408th Australian Test cricketer.

Michael Clarke had an emotional time on the opening day of the final Ashes 2015 Test at the Oval on Thursday. Clarke not only got emotional during his last toss as the Australia captain and was given a guard of honour by the England players upon his arrival at the crease in his 114th and final Test appearance, but was dismissed for a score of 15 off 29 balls at 4:08 pm local time in what turned out to be a bizarre coincidence. Clarke, who was visibly one of the most devastated at the tragic passing away of cricketer Phil Hughes, was earlier seen sporting an armband with the initials ‘P.H.’ (in memory of the late cricketer). READ: Michael Clarke wears black band in memory of Phil Hughes

Wow #408 #PJH Some things are meant to be

A photo posted by K Y L Y C L A R K E (@kylyclarke) on Aug 20, 2015 at 12:38pm PDT

Hughes passed away on November 27 last year after being struck by a bouncer by Sean Abbott during a Sheffield Shield game between South Australia and New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The left-handed batsman was immediately shifted to St. Vincent’s hospital in Sydney in a critical condition, where he lost ultimately breathed his last. His funeral was attended by his family members as well as several members of the cricket fraternity. Clarke was one of the pall-bearers and also delivered the eulogy at the funeral. READ: Phil Hughes passes away

Australia finished on a score of 287 for three in what turned out to be a much better display with the bat following a horror show in the previous Test at Trent Bridge. David Warner and Steven Smith top-scored for Australia with knocks of 85 and 78 not out respectively. READ: David Warner, Steven Smith guide Australia to 287/3 at stumps on Day 1 of 5th Test at Oval