Clarke's support for Hughes family lauded

Michael Clarke has often been the man for a crisis but never before has he stood so strong.

The Australian Test captain has earned plaudits for leading like never before, in a situation so removed from his post, while grieving himself for his close friend Phillip Hughes.

Clarke was singled out for praise by Australian team doctor Peter Brukner for being a rock of support for Hughes' parents - Greg and Virginia - and siblings Megan and Jason in the bedside vigil at St Vincents Hospital.

The 33-year-old Clarke helped guide left-hander Hughes, eight year his junior, into the NSW and Test teams over the years, and he was a near-constant presence at the hospital in the last two days.

It was Clarke who read a statement by the devastated family to a packed press conference at the hospital late Thursday, before having to walk away as emotion overcame him.

Dr Brukner then fought back tears as he credited the captain for providing strength and loving support desperately required in a time of need and sadness.

"Phillip has always been a little brother to Michael," Dr Brukner said.

"Michael's efforts over the last 48 hours to support the family; the family was obviously going through a difficult time but I'm not sure they would have coped without Michael's assistance.

"I was just enormously impressed at the work he did and the genuine care and love he gave to the Hughes family."

Clarke also spent time with distraught paceman Sean Abbott, coming to grips with his role in the freakish cricketing accident, at the hospital on Wednesday.

Shattered after bowling the bouncer that struck Hughes on a major artery on his neck, which compressed and split and caused a massive bleed into his brain, Abbott was consoled by both the skipper and then Megan Hughes.

Watch: Dr Peter Brukner explains what happened

Dr Brukner's comments came after Clarke's leadership had been under question due to his burning single-minded desire to play next week's first Test against India despite nursing a hamstring injury.

Viewed as selfish in some quarters for defying the desires of Cricket Australia and Test selectors to play a two-day tour match to prove his fitness, the top-order batsman believed he should only turn out in grade cricket this weekend.

Now Australia appears to need their captain more than ever if the first Test starts as scheduled at the Gabba on Thursday.