From Macksville to Lord’s to Mumbai, cricketers and friends around the world have mourned the death of Phillip Hughes.
The 25-year-old died on Thursday afternoon, two days after he was hit on the side of his neck by a cricket ball in what’s been called a freak accident.
Flags at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the home of cricket, Lord’s in England, have been lowered out of respect.
Tributes have been left by the public at the gates of Adelaide Oval and Lords.
Cricket Australia has released a tribute video with a 2010 interview with Hughes and footage of his time on the road with national team. It has also opened a public condolence book on its website.
The SCG has invited the public to leave a tribute at the ground’s gates.
Cricketers and fans from top international stars to local supporters have paid tribute to Hughes.
Andrew Strauss, who played alongside Hughes at English county club Middlesex in 2009, joined a host of former England captains in expressing his deep sorrow.
“What he achieved in the game by the age of 25 was extraordinary,” Strauss said.
Batsman Nick Compton – who lived with Hughes in London and played grade cricket with him in Sydney – delivered a heart-breaking farewell on Twitter.
“Cuz I miss you so much, never has someone had such an impact on my life, my career, my outlook. Devastated and upset. Love you bro,” Compton wrote.
Players from India, who are in Australia preparing for a four Test series, said they were shocked and saddened.
Retired batting legend Sachin Tendulkar called the death of his former Mumbai Indians IPL teammate a “sad day for cricket”.
Indian great Sunil Gavaskar said his immediate reaction was “one of profound sadness”.
And a shrine has been set up for the young Australian in Karachi in Pakistan.
Hughes’ home town of Macksville on the NSW mid north coast was in shocked silence.
“Everyone is beside themselves. The town has gone quiet. The streets are empty,” Nambucca Hotel bar manager Karl Spear told AAP of the feeling in the 2500-strong town.
Hughes has been remembered as a “warm unaffected country boy”.
The shock and remembrances have spread well beyond the cricketing world to politicians, community members and other sporting teams.
The Wallabies will honour Hughes by wearing black armbands during their rugby Test against England in London at the weekend.
The community has also rallied around young bowler Sean Abbott, who sent the 135kmh bouncer rocketing down the pitch.
Australian Cricketers’ Association chief Alistair Nicholson said Abbott, who delivered the bouncer that felled Hughes, is receiving the support he needs.
