Today saw members of the cricket world come together with family and friends of Phillip Hughes to celebrate his life.
The funeral of the Australian cricketer, who died last week after being hit on the head by a cricket ball, was held in his home town of Macksville in New south Wales.
Australia’s entire national cricket team, including captain Michael Clarke, were in attendance, and thousands of fans and well wishers filled the street around the church during the ceremony.
Megan Hughes, the sister of the 25-year-old athlete paid tribute to her brother in a speech, in which she told the congregation: ‘Goodbye isn’t forever’.
Phillip was such a admired cricketer and his death shocked the sporting community in Australia to such a degree that his funeral was broadcast across the his home country.
His father Michael Alcock said of his son during the service: ‘In his short time he walked as a child of the light, not in an ostentatious way but in a natural, unassuming and passionate way.’
Australian captain Michael Clarke said: ‘I can see how he has touched so many people around the world … so rest in peace my little brother, see you out in the middle.’
Following his death last week, several cricket clubs, players and fans of Hughes took part in the #Putoutyourbats tribute, which saw them place cricket bats outside their homes as a sigh of admiration and respect for the young player.
