Cricket Captain In Tearful Phillip Hughes Tribute

Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke has paid an emotional tribute to his teammate Phillip Hughes, who died this week after being struck by a cricket ball.

He also announced that Hughes' one-day international shirt number of 64 would be retired.

Hughes died on Thursday as a result of the injuries he sustained when he was struck by a ball while batting for South Australia in a domestic match against New South Wales.

Reading out a statement on behalf of the Australian team, Clarke was visibly upset and had to pause to compose himself several times.

He said: "Words cannot express the loss we all feel as a team right now. To Greg, Virginia [his parents], Jason and Megan [his siblings] we share the deep pain that you're feeling.

"Last night, I asked Cricket Australia if Hughesy's Australian one-day international shirt number, 64, could be retired, to which they agreed. That means so much.

"His legacy of trying to improve each and every day will drive us for the rest of our lives.

"Our dressing room will never be the same, we loved him and always will."

It was the first time Clarke had spoken publicly since reading out a statement just hours after his close friend's death had been announced.

In the address at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the 33-year-old paid tribute to Hughes' spirit and vowed to honour his memory.

"Apart from when he was home on the farm with his beloved cattle, Hughesy was at his happiest playing cricket for his country with his mates," he said.

"Things were always put into perspective when Hughesy said: 'Where else would you rather be, boys, than playing cricket for your country?'

"We're going to miss that cheeky grin and that twinkle in his eye. He epitomised what that Baggy Green is about and what it meant to us all.

"The world lost one of its great blokes this week and we are all the poorer for it. Our promise to Hughesy's family is that we will do everything we can to honour his memory."

The funeral of Hughes will take place on Wednesday with Australia's First Test match against India, which was due to start on Thursday postponed.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said: "These are extraordinary circumstances and we simply couldn't or wouldn't expect our players to be emotionally ready to start a Test match the day after farewelling one of their teammates.

"Their welfare is our absolute priority. They are grieving and to expect that they could play a high-pressured, five-day Test match the following day is out of the question."

Meanwhile, the England and Sri Lanka teams wore black arm-bands and observed a minute's silence before the start of their international match in Colombo.

Cricket bats and caps were also displayed outside the dressing rooms.

It was a tribute pictured around the world as part of the #putoutyourbats social media campaign which has caught the imagination of many connected to the game.

England and Australia rugby players at a packed out Twickenham also held a minute's applause before their international on Saturday afternoon.

Attention is now turning towards player safety and governing body Cricket Australia (CA) has announced plans to conduct an investigation into what happened.

After being too early on a pull stroke, Hughes was hit on the back, lower left side of his head, just below his protective helmet. He never regained consciousness and died just a few days before his 26th birthday.

CA has also done its utmost to rally round Sean Abbott, the New South Wales paceman who delivered the ball which struck Hughes on the head.

Abbott has been consoled by former and current professionals and fans alike amid concerns he may never play again.

CA chief executive James Sutherland said: "Sean is holding up really well, I'm incredibly impressed by the way he's holding himself and his maturity."