Australian captain Michael Clarke has written a touching tribute to his friend and teammate Phillip Hughes, on the occasion of his 26th birthday.
Hughes died on Thursday, after being fatally struck by a bouncer from Sean Abbott in a Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and South Australia at the SCG on Tuesday, which left the sports world reeling.
Today, 30 November 2014, would have been Hughes's 26th birthday. And Clarke has now opened up on his thoughts and emotions, via a letter published by The Daily Telegraph Australia.
"I want to use the occasion of this, his 26th birthday, to shine a bit more light onto Phillip - the man he was and the life he led - which will help explain the extraordinary outpouring of support from inside, and outside, the world cricket family.
"His cricketing achievements - of which there were many - really play second fiddle to the human qualities that he exhibited.
"Loyal to a fault, eternally optimistic, kind hearted, wicked sense of humour, a child like verve for life... I really could go on and on.
"'One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name.'
"Phillip was taken from all of us way too soon, but his attitude to life, his achievements on and off the field, and the hundreds of friends he made along the way all demonstrate that he did indeed live a crowded hour.
"That his career, and his life, was cut short in his prime is incredibly unfair.
"I don't have a blood brother, but I am very proud to have called Phillip my brother. I am a better man for having known him.
"Vale Hugh Dog. I will miss you forever, but I will not forget.
"Happy birthday bro."
To read the full version of Clarke's letter, click here.
Meanwhile, several Australia internationals and some of Hughes' teammates at the domestic level also wished the player on his 26th birthday, via their social media accounts.
In 2 hours and 6 min it will be my Brothers 26th BDay. Please get yourself a drink and raise your glass!
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday my little mate!! #63notout missing you BRAZ!! — David Warner (@davidwarner31) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday bruzzy.
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) November 29, 2014
Happy 26th Birthday BRAZ! I'm going to miss your cheeky smile, but I'll never forget it #RIPHughesy #408 #63NotOut pic.twitter.com/RRmP4jj2uf — Peter Siddle (@petersiddle403) November 29, 2014
Happy 26th Birthday BRAZ! We miss u mate! #408 #63notout63*
— Nathan Lyon (@NathLyon421) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday champion. Words can't describe how much I miss you. Life will never be the same again. pic.twitter.com/1azNwEfk6I — Daniel Smith (@13DSmith) November 29, 2014
Happy Birthday bruz 408
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) November 30, 2014
Happy Birthday bras. We miss you. — Kane Richardson (@KWRichardson23) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday champa!
— Tom Cooper (@tomcooper26) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday little man! Miss you so much already! @brad_owen13 Jacob fuller / Michael Boere xxxxx pic.twitter.com/qZe6rIvV4a — Chadd Sayers (@Chaddsayers27) November 29, 2014
Happy Birthday buddy #RIPhillipHughes #63notout #408forever #64 #cheekysmile
— CraigMcDermott (@c_mcdermott328) November 29, 2014
Happy 26th Birthday bruz! Forever in our hearts #loveyamate pic.twitter.com/IcIwZzlqDF — Tim Ludeman (@tludey) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday little man. You were a champion in every sense. You made life fun for us all. Will miss you #63notout pic.twitter.com/OOhxtmq392
— Andrew McDonald (@andrewmcdonald4) November 29, 2014
Happy Birthday Hughey. #408 #RIPPhillipHughes http://t.co/YuCPZ4JPbV — Trent Copeland (@copes9) November 29, 2014
Happy bday bro. Will love you forever. It has been the hardest few days of my life.
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) November 29, 2014