- Funeral service for Phillip Hughes was held at Macksville High School at 2pm, with thousands in attendance
- Michael Clarke was a pall bearer and read an emotional tribute during the service on the NSW mid-north coast
- Hughes died on Thursday, two days after he was hit by a bouncer during a match at Sydney Cricket Ground
As
one of the most difficult days of his life came to an end, Australian
cricket captain Michael Clarke says he wishes he could have done more
for fallen batsman Phillip Hughes and his devastated family.
'I
wish I could do more, mate. I wish I could do more,' the skipper
uttered to a well-wisher as he left his close friend's wake, who he
described earlier on Wednesday as his 'little brother' during a tribute
he delivered in front of thousands at Hughes' funeral service.
Clarke
was responding to a handshake and thanks he got from the fan as he
exited Macksville RSL club, where family and friends had gathered to
farewell their 'favourite son'.
But
it is impossible to even imagine that Clarke could do more after he was
one of eight pall bearers at Hughes' funeral service and one of the
first people to visit the batsman when he was fatally struck by a
cricket ball in the neck last Tuesday at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Friends and family walked silently
behind the fallen cricketer's hearse as it made its way down the main
street of Macksville in NSW
Phillip Hughes died on Thursday, two days after he was hit in the neck by a bouncer at Sydney Cricket Ground
The crowds lined the route as the
funeral cortege drove through Macksville towards the RSL club where the
official wake is taking place
Cricket captain Michael Clarke was overcome with grief following the funeral, and was consoled by friends and teammates
Clarke (third
from left) was one of eight pallbearers including Hughes' father Gregory
(centre) and brother Jason (second from left)
Phillip's mother Virginia (centre) wept as she was consoled by daughter Megan (second from left) following Hughes' funeral
Sean Abbott, who was bowling at the
time Hughes was struck, and his girfriend Brier Neil walk behind the
hearse as it departs the funeral service for Hughes
Locals and famous sportsmen walked alongside each other in solemn silence, as they remembered the young cricketer
Within
minutes of Hughes' arrival at St Vincent's Hospital - in Sydney's
inner-city suburb of Darlinghurst - Clarke was by the tragic cricketer's
bedside.
He
was also a comfort to Hughes' family as they maintained a near-constant
vigil at the hospital in the days leading up to his death. Clarke was
the one to read a heartbreaking statement on the family's behalf after
Hughes passed away on Thursday.
But
it seems the past week's events were catching up to Clarke as he looked
exhausted after one of the most emotionally draining days of his life.
He
was still at Hughes' wake at 9pm along with other Australian players
Mitchell Starc, Aaron Finch and Nathan Lyons, but they all left shortly
after this.
Hughes'
father, Greg, remained at the club talking and hugging people offering
their condolences. Philip's sister Megan and brother Jason also stayed
on.
The wake followed a touching final journey for Hughes' casket.
Thousands of mourners walked through the streets of the cricketer's hometown of Macksville in solemn silence behind his hearse.
Sporting
stars, local residents and friends cried and consoled each other as
they followed Hughes' family out of Macksville High School's hall where
his funeral was held.
The casket was adorned with roses in
white, which was Hughes' favourite colour, at the request of his mother
Virginia (bottom right)
Philip's father, Greg, stood outside Macksville RSL Club hugging and embracing the people he knew before going inside
Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke fought back tears as he delivered an emotionally charged tribute to Phillip Hughes
A bouncer struck Hughes (pictured) in
the back of the neck during the Sheffield Shield clash at the Sydney
Cricket Ground last Tuesday. He died surrounded in hospital by family
and friends on Thursday
Australian
skipper Michael Clarke was one of eight pallbearers, including Hughes'
father Gregory and brother Jason, who carried the casket out of the hall
at the conclusion of the service.
Earlier, Clarke delivered an emotionally charged tribute for Hughes, sobbing as he said goodbye to his 'little brother'.
Following the funeral, crowds followed Hughes' hearse from the hall to the site of the official wake at the Macksville RSL.
Children,
babies in prams, elderly people in wheelchairs, residents, cricketers
and the prime minister all walked together, many in tears.
A variety of tributes lined the route as the funeral cortege snaked its way through the streets of the 2,600-strong town.
A
stream of famous cricketing faces from the past and present filed by
with the likes of Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Brian Lara and Sir
Richard Hadlee walking along with the likes of rugby league great Greg
Inglis and boxer Anthony Mundine.
These people, along with the Australian cricket squad, joined the procession.
But
the superstars all walked in silence, as they were left to their own
thoughts and memories of the young cricketer they knew, who died
tragically on Thursday.
Phillip's father, Greg, stood outside the RSL Club hugging and embracing people he knew before going back inside.
A sign outside the club simply said: 'Phillip Our Mate.'
The pubs in town were packed with people, having a drink and meeting with friends to remember their friend.
The town was almost entirely closed down, with most Macksville businesses shut up as their owners attended or watch the funeral.
Notes were left in shop fronts beside tributes to Hughes, explaining their absence.
Australian Cricket Test Captain
Michael Clarke consoles Hughes' sister, Megan, as mother Virginia Hughes
cries during the funeral service
Prime Minister Tony Abbott walks alongside NSW Premier Mike Baird as they walk behind the hearse at Macksville
A solemn-looking Peter Siddle (centre) walks in the procession during the service
Gregory Hughes, father of Phillip Hughes, arrives dressed in black with a white rose attached to suit jacket
Hughes' sister Megan Hughes arrives at the funeral. She read a eulogy along with brother Jason Hughes and cousin Nino Ramunno
In
his tribute during the funeral service, Clarke cried as he spoke about
the moment he walked to the centre of Sydney Cricket Ground just hours
after learning of Hughes' death on Thursday.
'I
knelt down at the wicket and touched the grass. I swear he was still
with me. I could see him swagger back to the other end and grin at the
bowler,' Clarke said.
'His spirit has touched the SCG and it will forever be a sacred ground for me.'
Clarke added he was struggling to come to terms with the fact Hughes was gone.
'I know it's crazy but I expect any minute to take a call from him or see his face pop around the corner,' he said.
'Is this was what we call the spirit? If so, I think his spirit is with me, and I hope he never leaves.'
At
the end of his tribute, Clarke addressed his fallen teammate directly,
as he told of how the support from the international cricketing
community was helping him come to terms with his grief.
'This is what makes our game the best in the world,' he said.
'We must dig in and get through to tea and we must play on. So rest in peace my little brother, I'll see you out in the middle.'
While
he carried Hughes' casket out, Clarke kept his head bowed on the short
walk to the waiting hearse, and at times rubbed his face and eyes.
Hughes' family cried as they followed his casket out of the church, holding each other for support.
Clarke then attended a private wake with friends and family of the late cricketer.
Clarke and his wife Kyly look sombre as they arrive at Macksville Recreation Centre for Hughes' funeral
Sean Abbott arrived with his girlfriend looking grief-stricken at Macksville High School's hall
The casket of Hughes arrives at the centre for the service, topped with flowers in the cricketer's favourite colour - white
Former Australian bowler Shane Warne (right) and West Indies batsman Brian Lara arrive for the funeral
Former champion cricketer Brett Lee (second from left) and radio broadcaster Alan Jones (second from right)
Australian cricketer David Warner and partner Candice Falzon arrive at the funeral for cricketer Phillip Hughes
Shane Watson (left) arrives ahead of the funeral after touching down at Coffs Harbour with Mitchell Johnson (right)
As
the Catholic service began and the priest walked down the aisle, the
song Forever Young by Youth Group played and mourners stood in silence.
During
the funeral, Hughes' brother Jason read out a eulogy that was addressed
to the fallen cricketer, saying it was the best way he could express
how he was feeling.
'I couldn't have asked for a better little brother. From a young age you were always destined to be our rock star,' he said.
'All I ever wanted was for you to look up to me as your big brother.'
Hughes' sister Megan fought back tears as she read out a eulogy for her older brother.
'Your smile, the twinkle in your eye, your witty charm and the humour you provided will never fade,' she said.
'I
am so proud along with Mum, Dad and Jason with what you have
accomplished within the short period of time you were here with us.
Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott
(right) arrived at 1.50pm, signed the condolences book and entered the
service with the priest
Anthony Mundine (second from the left)
and Danielle Mundine (second from the right) arrive ahead of the
funeral service for Hughes
Australian cricketer Steve Smith arrives at the funeral for cricketer Phillip Hughes after getting off a bus with his teammates
Former Australian cricketers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden arrive at the funeral
Nathan Lyon with partner Melissa Waring and their new baby make their way into the hall
'I
will always admire that you never changed or became someone different
while your life and career was progressing before your eyes.'
A
video tribute featuring footage of Hughes on the pitch was then played
for the mourners, edited together with snippets of the cricketer
speaking in interviews.
Before
the service starter, Hughes' family - including mother Virginia, father
Greg, sister Megan and brother Jason - arrived at the packed hall just
before 2pm.
Virginia
wore a silver and black shirt, Greg and Jason wore a white rose in
their lapels, and Megan wore a white jacket over black pants - to team
with the service's white and bright theme.
Former cricketer Michael Hussey looked distraught, dressed in a black suit and dark sunglasses, as he arrived at the centre
Brad Haddin and Karina Castle arrive at the funeral service, where Hughes' family members delivered emotional eulogies
Ricky Ponting, who was captain when Hughes played his first Test for Australia in South Africa, and wife Rianna Cantor
Greg Inglis and Sally Robinson (left) and NSW Premier Mike Baird (pictured right in right) arrive at the hall in Macksville
With
their arms gripping each other tightly, they slowly walked into the
service. The mourners rose as they entered the room and Virginia could
be heard crying, as the family did their best to comfort her.
Hughes'
grandmother and aunt arrived wearing white and maroon respectively,
telling Daily Mail Australia the theme was 'white and bright' to
incorporate Hughes' favourite colour, white, and a slightly happier tone
for the day.
Sean
Abbott, who was bowling to Phillip Hughes at the time of his death,
arrived just after 1.30pm looking grief-stricken. His girlfriend walking
beside him with her arm around his shoulders.
The Prime Minister arrived at 1.50pm, signed the condolences book and entered the service with the priest.
Radio
commentator Alan Jones and cricketers Brett Lee, Mark Waugh, Shane
Watson and his wife Lee Furlong arrived together at 1.20pm.
Michael
Clarke and his wife Kyly arrived at 1.10pm with their arms around each
other, accompanied by a person carrying two cricket bats and a baggy
green cap - an item which is awarded to Australian test cricket
players.
Four
of Phillip Hughes' young cousins from Macksville went to greet
Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke, who smiled and spoke
animatedly with them.
At his mother's request Phillip Hughes has been placed in a dark, wooden casket with a gold plaque
The car travelled through the streets of Hughes' hometown of Macksville before arriving at Macksville High School at 12.20pm
The casket was carried by six pall bearers to be put in place in the recreation hall where the service will take place
They
were dressed in their sky blue Macksville cricket shirts with 408
printed on the back and 'PH 63 not out' embroidered underneath the club
crest.
When the children left, Clarke was seen wiping tears from his eyes.
Australian cricketer Mitchell Starc and his partner, cricketer Alyssa Healy, arrived at the service at 1pm.
Cricket
players Ryan Harris, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Johnson, Steve Smith, Nathan
Lyon, David Warner, Greg Blewett were amongst a group of Australian
cricketers that arrived to the funeral on a bus, wearing Cricket
Australia suits and ties. Many were accompanied by their partners and
arrived in silence.
Cricketers
Moises Henriques, Mark Taylor, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Shane
Warne, Brian Lara and Matthew Hayden were also in attendance.
Former
Australian cricketer and good friend of Hughes, Daniel Smith, arrived
to say farewell. Smith was one of the first to visit Phillip Hughes at
St Vincent's Hospital, arriving just hours after his accident on
November 25.
Cricket
legend Merv Hughes assisted mourners as they entered the service. Boxer
and good friend of Hughes, Anthony Mundine took his seat at 12.50pm.
Phillip
Hughes' uncle Attilio and aunt Cheryl arrived in a blue car with his
92-year-old maternal grandmother, known fondly by the family as 'Mama'.
The order of service is seen inside the Macksville High School Stadium ahead of the funeral on Wednesday
Larges prints of Hughes (left) and the gold plate on his casket (right) are seen after it was placed inside the hall
Phillip's
grandmother, who lives in Macksville around the corner from the Hughes'
childhood home, was greeted by loved ones. She was escorted into the
funeral in a wheelchair by a large group of family members.
Just
after midday, the casket of Phillip Hughes arrived in Hughes' hometown
ahead of an emotional funeral service held on Wednesday afternoon.
At
his mother Virginia's request, Hughes has been placed in a dark, wooden
casket with a gold plaque. The casket is topped with white flowers -
the cricketer's favourite colour.
Shortly
before 12pm the hearse travelled over the bridge into Macksville,
crossing the Nambucca River. The car travelled through the town's
streets, circling Hughes' hometown, before arriving at Macksville High
School at 12.20pm.
Australian test team player Steve
Smith (second from left) arrives at Coffs Harbour ahead of today's
funeral service for Phillip Hughes
Test player Shane Watson and his wife Lee Furlong also arrive at Coffs Harbour to travel to Hughes' hometown of Macksville
Australian test team coach Darren Lehmann and player Mitchell Johnson at the airport after touching down
Already the street was lined with mourners, who started arriving more than three hours before the service's scheduled 2pm start.
The
hearse arrived outside the local high school and the casket was carried
by six pall bearers to be put in place in the recreation hall where the
service will take place. Simple white flower decorations stood at
either side of the casket.
People
began to enter the hall where large photos of Hughes adorn the walls,
including small children in the Macksville cricket club's sky blue
uniform, with Hughes' Baggy Green number 408 printed in white on the
back of their shirts.
Just
before midday, Australian cricket players arrived at Coffs Harbour
airport on the New South Wales mid-north coast ahead of the service.
Australian
Test coach Darren Lehmann and players including Steve Smith, Shane
Watson, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle touched down on
the same plane all dressed in black suits.
Former
players, including Mike Hussey and Michael Slater, arrived at Coffs
Harbour on an earlier flight, in order to drive 45km south to
Macksville.
Mitchell Johnson (left) and Steve Smith (right) look downcast as they make their way to Macksville on Wednesday
Peter Siddle arrives to Coffs Harbour in order to travel 45 minutes south to Macksville, on the NSW mid-north coast
Australian test team player Nathan Lyon is pictured after arriving with fellow players to farewell Phillip Hughes
Earlier
in the morning, Australia captain Michael Clarke was seen arriving at
the Macksville Recreation Centre with funeral organiser and former
Cricket Australia official Michael Brown.
This
comes as touching childhood photographs of Phillip Hughes have been
shared in the order of service for his funeral, released ahead of the
emotional ceremony on Wednesday.
The
fallen Australian cricketer will be farewelled in a moving service,
with his father Greg, brother Jason and close friend Clarke acting as
pall bearers.
The
five other pall bearers will be Corey Ireland, Mitchell
Lonergan, Matthew Day, Aaron Finch and Tom Cooper - who was Hughes'
batting partner at the time of last Tuesday's tragedy that claimed his
life.
Cricketer Phillip Hughes (left) pictured with his sister Megan (centre) and brother Jason (right) in a family photo
Photos of Hughes (left image, pictured far right and right image) were shared in the order of service ahead of his funeral
The service for the fallen cricketer,
pictured as a child with his father Greg and mother Virginia, will be
held in Macksville on Wednesday
The front page of the order of service for Hughes's funeral, where thousands paid their respects
A
rendition of Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me was played at the end of
the service as Hughes' casket was carried out of the hall.
It is the same song Elton John dedicated to Hughes at his concert in Germany.
The
South Australian batsman died two days after he was hit in the neck by a
bouncer during day one of the Sheffield Shield last Tuesday.
Performing
in Munich, Germany at Olympiahalle Arena on Thursday night, cricket fan
John told his large crowd of fans: 'I am a big huge sports fan and I
love cricket which you don't know anything about over here.'
Before playing the 1974 hit, he added: 'This is for you Phil, wherever you are.'
The night before the funeral, Clarke shared an Instagram photo of himself with his arms around Hughes.
'Tomorrow is going to be a tough day!' he wrote.
Australian cricket captain Michael
Clarke (right) arrives with Michael Brown, former 2IC at Cricket
Australia, ahead of Hughes' funeral
Clarke walks out of the Macksville Recreation Centre with Brown, a former funeral director who is organising the service
Former player Mike Hussey (centre) and his wife Amy (left) arrive to Coffs Harbour ahead of today's funeral for Phillip Hughes
Former player Michael Slater also flies into Coffs Harbour to travel to Macksville for the service for fallen cricketer Hughes
Father Michael Alcock and Father Peter Jones led the service to the packed school hall on Wednesday
The running order at Phillip Hughes' funeral service which was held from 2pm on Wednesday at Macksville High School hall
Devastated residents will farewell their 'favourite son' at the ceremony that was televised across the country
People start lining up outside the hall where the ceremony to honour Hughes was held
Mourners hold and read copies of the order of service, which feature touching childhood photos of Hughes
Mourners arrive early and line up behind a barricade on the street ahead of the funeral service for Hughes in Macksville
Cricket bats are seen lined up on the front fence of Macksville Public School on Wednesday
After the service, people lined the streets to pay their final respects as the hearse made its way down Macksville's main street
Cricket bats are seen on the front fence of St Patrick's Primary school in Macksville
The tribute to former student Phillip Hughes is seen on Wednesday ahead of his funeral
Tributes for Macksville's 'favourite son' have flooded in from across the town, Australia and the world
Several overflow areas (above) have also been set up at the cricketer's former high school
On Tuesday, preparations began for the service, with the Australian Test squad in attendance
The town of Macksville stopped on Wednesday to honour the late cricketer who died on Thursday
No comments:
Post a Comment