Her Majesty the Queen has sent her condolences to the family of Phillip Hughes as a flood of tributes continue to pour in from fans and fellow cricketers alike as they mourn the shock loss of a cricketing great cut down in his prime.
Queen Elizabeth II reportedly sent a private message, conveying her sympathies to the grieving family on Friday night.
Fans have also taken to social media to commemorate the loss of the 25-year-old batsman. In a moving campaign titled #putoutyourbats, people all around Australia and indeed the world, are posting photos as they lay their cricket bats as a mark of respect.
Channel Nine reporter Tom Steinfort posted a poignant photo (above) from out the front of the Sydney Cricket Ground captioned: “A lone bat out the front of the SCG that reads “RIP P.Hughes 63 n.o forever”
The campaign reportedly started when Sydney dad Paul Taylor posted a photo of a cricket bat outside the entrance to his home, but thousands more have now joined in, using the hashtag as a means to pay tribute to the young sportsman cut down in what can only be described as a freak accident.
Phillip Hughes died two days after suffering severe head injuries when he was struck in the back of the head by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.
Phil, as he is known to his mates, was set to celebrate his 26th birthday on Sunday, November 30.
Some of the tributes that have flooded in via the #putoutyourbats social media campaign.
Related: Molly Meldrum pays tribute to Phil Hughes as he is inducted into ARIAs hall of fame
It’s not just on social media that mass commemorations have been taking place. Flags are being flown at half-mast across Sydney as well as at cricket-grounds around the country and cricket-play has ceased with Cricket Australia reportedly considering cancelling the test match with India – due to start next week, to allow Phillip’s team mates time to grieve.
A statement posted by Cricket Australia to their website yesterday read
“We are extremely sad to announce that Phillip Hughes has passed away at the age of 25.
Our thoughts go out to Phillip’s family, friends, and the entire cricket community on this incredibly sad day.?”
It is thought that a funeral will be held for the young cricketer next week.
The Public School in Phil’s hometown of Macksville all laid their cricket bats out the front of the school in a particularly moving tribute. Image via @KimberleySoekov of Network Ten.
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