Australia batsmen to honour 63 in tribute

Australia's batsmen have a new milestone to acknowledge in their pursuit for runs – 63.

That is the score Phillip Hughes was on when he was felled by a bouncer while batting for South Australia in a Bupa Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.

It is the score that moved David Warner to tears during his brilliant knock of 145 on the opening day of the first Commonwealth Bank Test, the score that had Steve Smith sending a thumbs up to the dressing room.

It's a score that will be signalled by many more batsmen in many more innings to come.

Hughes died in hospital two days after being struck, and Cricket Australia amended the scorebook to remove 'retired hurt' and keep Hughes not out.

The number also gained considerable traction on social media, and it has clearly seeped into the consciousness of Australia's international cricketers.

"I think in this generation 100 per cent it's going to be with us for the rest of our lives and the rest of our careers," said Warner.

"I think a lot of people will raise their bats at 63 but in the back of our minds we're always going to look up there and know he's looking down on us.

"I'm going to carry it for the rest of my career, I know that."

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Clarke (left) and Warner embrace at Adelaide // Getty Images

It is now a milestone to pay tribute and honour the memory of a lost brother, but also a difficult number that for some, especially so soon after the event, can bring up harsh memories.

"The hardest point for me for the day was when I was on 63," Warner said after play.

"It was such an horrific incident and such a rare incident that in the back of my mind, even though a spinner was bowling, being on that number just felt in the back of my mind it wasn't right.

"I just wanted to try and get past that and then move on from that.

"It was quite tough when I was on 63 to actually get that momentum and Michael (Clarke) asked me at the other end if I was OK.

"I was (but) I had to step away just for a couple of seconds there just to get my thoughts and my process back."

Warner said the memories from that fateful day at the SCG, where he was among the first to Hughes's side after he was struck, "are still stuck in my head".

Today was emotional and difficult. Warner said coming back to the SCG for the fourth Test in early January will be even more so.

Amid a flurry of boundaries on the opening morning, it was Warner's paddled sweep for two at the start of the 20th over that took him to the milestone and drew a poignant response from the batsman and the Adelaide Oval crowd.

Warner said he believed his "little mate" was batting with him from the first ball of this Test – which he creamed through the covers to the boundary rope.

He lashed six boundaries in the opening three overs, fuelled by the emotion and adrenaline of the occasion.

His reaction upon reaching his half-century was somewhat muted; a handshake with Shane Watson followed by a brief look skywards to acknowledge a lost friend watching over him.

But upon reaching 63 Warner looked heavenward again, for longer this time, sending a message to his "little mate" as he waved his bat to the sky.

He then crouched on his haunches, taking his moment to find composure, as the 25,619 spectators warmly applauded a score that before the tragic events of the past fortnight wouldn't have raised a ripple.

This awareness from player and crowd throughout the day reminded all that while Test cricket was back, the spirit of Hughes was never too far from the surface.

Warner's celebration upon reaching three figures proved that his tenth Test century, and his seventh since the start of the Ashes last summer, was undoubtedly the most significant of his career.

He started with his trademark leap and punch in the air, looking above, touching his helmet to his heart and planting a kiss on the badge.

He then acknowledged his teammates in the viewing area of the Sir Donald Bradman Stand and shared a lengthy embrace with his captain mid-pitch.

"That was definitely for him today," Warner said.

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Smith salutes to the dressing room on 63 // Getty Images

Like Warner, Steven Smith's tribute to Hughes when he reached 63 was far more animated than when he brought up his half-century.

Smith looked to the heavens, pointed to his black armband and lifted his bat to the crowd when he achieved the mark with a boundary to mid-wicket, a milestone that was again generously applauded by the Adelaide crowd.

It is a scene set to be repeated around Australia this summer and for many more to come.

Clarke also made several simple yet touching gestures during the second session.

Australia's skipper said during his touching tribute at Hughes's funeral that his "little brother" would always be with him when he batted.

When Clarke pulled Mohammed Shami to the leg-side boundary to move to 37, the skipper raised his bat and looked skywards.

His 37 today, combined with Hughes's 63 from his unfinished innings at the SCG, completed the century that the left-hander was well on his way to posting.