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* THIS IS NOT THE INITIATIVE OF THE BROUGHAM ARMS HOTEL, IT HAS SIMPLY BEEN SELECTED AS THE VENUE OF CHOICE BY THE ORGANISER.
THE Bendigo cricket community has been invited to band together as one on Sunday and share a beer in honour of Phillip Hughes.
The cricket world is in shock following the death of Hughes after he was struck in the neck by a bouncer batting for South Australia against New South Wales at the SCG this week.
The Bendigo get-together at the Brougham Arms Hotel Motel from 1pm on Sunday is the initiative of Cricket Development Institute managing director Ben Irwin.
"It's obviously tragic what has happened and a lot of people are feeling numb about it, so this is a chance to all get together as a cricket community," Irwin said.
"Never in your wildest dreams do you think something like this could happen on a cricket field... it's hard to put into words."
Among those deeply saddened by the death of Hughes is Cricket Development Institute head coach Craig Howard, who is also coach of Sandhurst.
Howard was involved with South Australia as a spin coach when Hughes joined the Redbacks from New South Wales.
"It's terrible for the family, and I also really feel for the South Australian coaches, who care very deeply for all their players... it's just horrific," Howard said.
"Phillip was a player who you always enjoyed watching when he was batting.
"There's some players where you don't mind going to get a cup of coffee or switch the TV over while they are batting, but he was one of those unique batsmen where something always happened."
Among those who will be dropping in at the Brougham Arms Hotel on Sunday in honour of Hughes - who would have turned 26 the same day - is Bendigo Country Week coach Matt Pinniger.
"It's absolutely shattering what has happened," Pinniger said.
In a mark of respect to Hughes, many Bendigo cricketers placed their cricket bats out the front of their houses on Friday.
All the region's competitions - the Bendigo District, Emu Valley, Northern United and Upper Loddon cricket associations - will wear black arm bands and observe a minute's silence before games this weekend.