Phillip Hughes was remembered in an emotional funeral service in his hometown of Macksville, New South Wales, attended by thousands, including eight members of the Indian squad currently in Australia. As the mourners walked through the streets of Macksville, millions around the world stopped to remember the deceased cricketer.
India stand-in skipper Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, coach, Duncan Fletcher and Team Director Ravi Shastri were part of the Indian contingent present at the services.
Australian captain Michael Clarke was among host of Australian cricketers in attendance, all of them doing their best to stay composed and fight back the tears.
Clarke said: "It's now forever the place where he fell. I stood at the wicket and knelt down to touch the grass and I swear he was with me, picking me up off my feet to check if I was OK, telling me we just needed to dig in, and get through to tea.
"Telling me off for that loose shot I'd played, chatting about what movie we'd watch that night, and then passing on a useless fact about cows.
"I could see him swagger back to the other end, grin at the bowler, then call me through for a run with such a booming voice, a bloke in the car park could hear it.
Clarke said Hughes' life was lived for the game and his soul had enriched not just the sport but all of their lives.
"Is this what people, indigenous people believe about the spirit of a person being connected on the land he walked? If so, they're right about the SCG. His spirit has touched it, and it will forever be a safer place for me."
Clarke said the global tributes for Hughes, from Karachi to Lords in England, had "sustained and overwhelmed" him in equal measure.
He also praised the team and cricketing community, the "baggy green brothers and sisters" who had lifted him up when he felt he could not keep going and said the spirit of cricket would hold them all together.
"Phillip's spirit, which is now part of the game forever, will act as a custodian of the game forever. We must listen to it, we must learn from it, we must dig in, dig in and get through to T. And we must play on.
"So rest in peace my little brother. I'll see you out in the middle," Clarke said while holding back tears.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said: "I also want to offer love and support of that entire cricket family to Phillip's own family, they have lost a beloved son and an adored brother."
Sutherland said that if the life of Phillip Hughes demonstrated one thing it was that a "great deal can be packed into a very short time if you have the talent, passion and a big adventurous spirit".
"The wave of emotion that has washed over our country this past week tells us so much about the affection millions felt for Phillip and also about the privilege place cricket has near the heart of this nation.
"Quite simply the boy from this proud community of Macksville personified the spirit of Australian cricket."
Sutherland said Hughes' journey from backyard to baggy green cap 408 personified the Australian cricketing dream and the pair of centuries in just his second Test would be an "abiding memory for a whole generation of fans".
He said since Hughes's death "cricket's heart has been pierced by pain, but it will never stop beating".
The Indian cricket contingent undertook a long journey from Adelaide to Macksville via Sydney and Coffs Harbour to join the massive gathering at the Macksville High school grounds – Hughes’ alma mater. They sat among the grieving audience as Hughes’ family members, friends and team mates poured their hearts out at the beautiful service in the memory of their loved one.
Other well known cricketing names present were Shane Warne, Brian Lara, sir Richard Hadlee, Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey and Mark Taylor.
Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, opposition leader, Bill Shorten, and Federal Minister for Sport, Peter Dutton, were among the politicians in attendance.
Hughes’ service was screened live around the world. Besides those present at the venue, thousands watched it on a big screen set up outside it. Around 3000 people gathered at the Adelaide Oval to view the service on the big screen at the stadium.
While this service was open for the public, Hughes’ actual last rites will be conducted on Thursday in the presence of family and close friends.
