THE Australian cricket team captain Michael Clarke has broken down while making a statement about the death of his friend and teammate Phillip Hughes.
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A visibly distressed Clarke read the statement on behalf of the Australian cricket team and staff at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.
"Our dressing room will never be the same," Clarke said.
He thanked all those in Australia and overseas who had left "touching tributes" to Hughes, whose death on Thursday after a ball struck his head two days earlier has shocked the world.
Cricket Australia confirmed that Hughes' one-day international number - 64 - would be retired.
"Our promise to his family is he'll never be forgotten."
Clarke's statement lasted just two minutes and seven seconds but eloquently summed up the regard in which the Macksville cricketer was held.
"Words cannot express what we all feel as a team right now," said Clarke, who choked back tears during his address.
"To Greg, Virginia, Jason and Megan, we share in the deep pain you're feeling.
"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.
"Things we always put into perspective when Hughesy said: 'Where else would you rather be, boys, but playing cricket for your country?'
"We are going to miss that cheeky grin and twinkle in his eye.
"He epitomised what the Baggy Green was about and what it means to us all.
"The world lost one of its great blokes this week and we are all poorer for it.
"Our promise to Hughesy's family is that we will do everything we can to honour his memory."
Clarke revealed that, at his request, Cricket Australia had retired the left-hander's Australian one-day-international shirt number, 64, as a mark of respect.
It means so much," Clarke said.
"His legacy of trying to improve each and every day will drive us for the rest of our lives.
"We'd like to thank everyone both here and overseas for the touching tributes to Hughesy in recent days.
"Our dressing room will never be the same. We loved him and always will. Rest in peace 'Brussy.'"
More to come...
The Age