In an emotional press conferences, Australian captain Michael Clarke, paid tribute to Philip Hughes on behalf of his team and Cricket Australia on Saturday morning at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) as tears almost rolled down his cheeks.
From the moment Clarke sat down and said to the gathered press, 'I'll do my best, guys', it was clear just how much he was hurting and how hugely emotional it was going to be for him to read the statement at all.
Struggling to keep his composure, Clarke took deep breaths and wept, as he paid a massive tribute to his close friend and team mate Hughes.
'Words cannot express the loss we all feel as a team right now,' Clarke began.
'To Greg, Virginia, Jason and Megan (Hughes' family), we share in the deep pain that you're feeling.'
Clarke began to breakdown in tears at this point, but was able to compose himself.
'Apart from when he was at home on the farm with his beloved cattle, Hughesy was at his happiest playing cricket for his country with his mates,' he continued.
'Things were always put into perspective when Hughesy said: 'Where would you rather be boys than playing cricket for your country'.'
Still struggling to keep his emotions in check, Clarke sighed audibly before continuing.
'We're going to miss that cheeky grin and twinkle in his eye,' he said. 'He epitomised what the baggy green is 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.'
Clarke promised Hughes' family that they would do 'everything we can to honour his memory'. He then confirmed that Hughes' international one-day shirt number, 64, would be retired by Cricket Australia.
'That means so much,' he said.
Clarke added that Hughes' 'legacy of trying to improve each and every day will drive us for the rest of our lives'.
After thanking everyone 'here and overseas for the touching tributes to Hughesy', Clarke paused for what seemed an age to compose himself again, before ending the statement by saying in a breaking voice:
'Our dressing room will never be the same. We love him and always will. Rest in peace, bruzzy.'
The 25-year-old Hughes died on Thursday after being struck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield game on Tuesday.
