Australia cricket team captain Michael Clarke penned a heartbreaking tribute to late Phillip Hughes on his 26th birthday, among thousands of others who wished the deceased batsman a happy birthday.
A day after fighting back tears while making his statement to the press on behalf of his team and support staff at the SCG, Clarke opened up about the tragic death of his close friend.
Clarke wrote that he wants to use the occasion of this, Hughes' 26th birthday, to shine a bit more light onto Phillip, the man he was and the life he led, which would help explain the extraordinary outpouring of support from inside, and outside, the world cricket family, News.com.au reported.
Clarke added that Hughes' cricketing achievements, of which there were many, really play second fiddle to the human qualities that he exhibited. He also revealed that Hughes was loyal to a fault, eternally optimistic, kind hearted, wicked sense of humour, a child like verve for life, adding that he really could go on and on.
Clarke wrote about the first time he met his teammate, saying that he Hughes as a boy of 17, when he came down to Sydney from Macksville to play for his club Western Suburbs.
The skipper claimed that he was drawn to the late batsman instantly, falling for his cheeky grin and love of life, adding that Hughes truly was uncomplicated, what one saw was what one got.
Clarke was among thousands to wish Hughes a happy birthday on Sunday, starting the countdown two hours and six minutes before Hughes' birthday, tweeting that in two hours and six minutes it would be his brother's 26th Bday, adding that please 'get yourself a drink and raise your glass!'
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Just before midnight, Clarke posted again, saying that everyone should get ready as it is seven minutes until his brother's birthday.
And then, as the clock struck 12, Clarke once again revealed the pain he has been going through as he comes to terms with the tragic death of his friend and former teammate.
First thing Sunday morning, Clarke continued to pay tribute to Hughes, posting a series of touching images on Instagram, this less than 24 hours after delivering a heartbreaking statement on behalf of himself and the Australian cricket team.
Hughes was honoured with a moment's applause at the Rugby union Test match the Wallabies and Twickenham overnight, as tributes flowed around the world. As well as the mass round of applause from a capacity crowd at the kick-off, a picture of Hughes was displayed on the giant screens at Twickenham.
The Australia team wore black armbands in memory of Hughes.
Hughes, 25, passed away on Thursday after being hit by a bouncer while batting for South Australia against New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Hughes' funeral will be held Wednesday in his hometown of Macksville, in northern NSW, the report added.