SYDNEY: People from all walks of life expressed shock and grounds fell silent on Thursday as the cricket world plunged into mourning after the death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes.

ICC chairman Narayanaswami Srinivasan said we are all shocked and saddened with the news of Phillip’s passing. “On behalf of the entire cricket community, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends,” he said.

Australian legend Adam Gilchrist summed up the shock at Hughes’s death with a tweet that read: “No no no no no. RIP Phillip Hughes.”

Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were among the Australian greats to send condolences along with national coach Darren Lehmann, who tweeted: “RIP you little champ, we are all going to miss you!”

And Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar led a wave of sympathy from abroad as he saluted Hughes, his former team-mate in the Indian Premier League.

“Shocked to hear about Phil. Sad day for cricket,” Tendulkar said.

Former South African wicket-keeper Mark Boucher, who was forced to retire in 2012 after being hit in the eye by a bail while wicket-keeping, tweeted that he was ‘lost for words’.

International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson said: “All those who play, have played or are in any way connected to the game are devastated by the news.”

Former England captain Andrew Strauss, who played alongside Hughes at Middlesex, led British tributes, describing the news as ‘sickening’.

“The most sickening aspect of all of this is that he was a guy in the best years of his life and that was extinguished out of the blue,” Strauss told Sky Sports News.

Middlesex Cricket Club announced that flags at Lord’s would be lowered in Hughes’s memory, while fans left flowers at the ground’s Grace Gates.

The MCC president, David Morgan, said: “Phillip was a fine cricketer and one who we will tragically never have the chance to see batting again here at the home of cricket.”

Giles Clarke, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), said his organisation extended its ‘deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences’ to Hughes’s friends and family.

England players past and present took to Twitter to express their shock at the news.

“Absolutely devastated to hear that Phil has passed away. Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends,” wrote England batsman Ian Bell.

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen also spared a thought for Sean Abbott, writing: “NO NO NO NO NO! RIP, Hughsey #63notout. Sean Abbott — thinking about you too, mate!”

Only a handful of countries play the game professionally and opposing players spend months together, often dining and drinking together after matches.

Rarely has cricket been more united than now, the game’s saddest day.

Overwhelmed by emotion, Australia’s players were in tears as they filed out of St Vincent’s hospital after bidding farewell to their fallen team-mate.

Hughes’ untimely death will undoubtedly raise questions about safety standards in the game.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014