November 27 will mark the day Australia said goodbye to a promising cricketer who had a knack with the bat.

A loyal friend, a talented cricketer; Hughes will forever remain in the hearts of everyone he made the biggest impression on.

“He was a fantastic fella. To be fair, he never had a bad thing to say about anyone,” Brown Hill Bulls captain and friend Shane Harwood said.

The former Australian fast bowler, who was on the receiving end of Hughes’ record-making 116 runs in 2007 with New South Wales, said the way Hughes presented himself on the cricket pitch was remarkable.

“He was so talented and different.

His technique was different but it worked for him.”

Heartbroken at the news of his death, former Wendouree premiership player Sam Miller, who made his South Australia debut with Hughes and remained a good friend, said Hughes was full of talent that was yet to be fully acknowledged.

“He was a star,” he said.

“It (his loss) is just so sad. It was just a silly little accident.”

Ballarat Cricket Association president Robert Florence said the tragedy came as a shock for the entire cricketing world.

“It has hit everyone hard. Even a country cricket association like Ballarat feels and mourns his loss,” he said. 

“It’s going to be hard for all cricketers to go out and play on the weekend.

“He was a very tenacious and hard - working cricketer.

“ He was very determined and we were hoping those attributes on the cricket pitch would be enough to get him through.

“Black arm bands on the weekend will certainly be something I will recommend as a mark of respect.”

The 25-year-old was left in a critical condition after receiving a bouncer to the head during the Sheffield Shield game between NSW and South Australia at the SCG on Tuesday.

He remained in an induced coma in St Vincent’s Hospital until Thursday when Australian Cricket Team doctor Peter Brukner delivered the news of Hughes’ death just before 4pm.

“It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away,” Mr Brukner said in a statement.

“He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday.

“He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends.

“As a cricket community, we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”