The number that links the popular left-hander's life
Teammates mark Hughes birthday
As the nation remembers the life and career of Phillip Hughes, several numbers will forever be linked with the much-loved left-hander.
The number 63, which was Hughes's score when he was struck by a bouncer at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday, a blow from which he never recovered.
The number 64, his one-day international shirt number, which skipper Michael Clarke revealed on Saturday has been retired by Cricket Australia as a mark of respect.
The number 408, Hughes's Test number, meaning he was the 408th man to be given the honour of pulling on the Baggy Green cap.
With the encouragement of Cricket Australia, cricket clubs around the country on Saturday used the numbers 63 and 408 as a way to remember and honour their hero.
The retirement score in some junior cricket matches was extended to 63 rather than the normal 50. Two-day matches were reduced to 63 overs each while teams observed 63 seconds of silence before play.
And across the land, the number 408 was painted on outfields and drawn on the shirts of players of all ages and ability.
But there is another number that intrinsically links Hughes's life and career, and it is particularly pertinent today.
The number 26.
Today, November 30 2014, would have been Hughes's 26th birthday.
It is also the number of Tests he played; 26 matches for three centuries and an average of 32.65.
His Test career began on the 26th of February, 2009, when he took on South Africa at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.
And he scored 26 first-class centuries in his career, the first of which came at the tender age of 19 in the 2008 Sheffield Shield final.
On the day that would have marked Hughes’s 26th birthday, players have taken to social media to pay their respects to their fallen teammate.
Happy birthday my little mate!! #63notout missing you BRAZ!!
%E2%80%94 David Warner (@davidwarner31) November 29, 2014
Happy bday bro. Will love you forever. It has been the hardest few days of my life.
%E2%80%94 Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday bruzzy.
%E2%80%94 Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) November 29, 2014
Happy 26th Birthday BRAZ! I'm going to miss your cheeky smile, but I'll never forget it 😄 #RIPHughesy #408 #63NotOut pic.twitter.com/RRmP4jj2uf
%E2%80%94 Peter Siddle (@petersiddle403) November 29, 2014
Happy 26th Birthday BRAZ! We miss u mate! #408 #63notout63*
%E2%80%94 Nathan Lyon (@NathLyon421) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday champion. Words can't describe how much I miss you. Life will never be the same again. pic.twitter.com/1azNwEfk6I
%E2%80%94 Daniel Smith (@13DSmith) November 29, 2014
Happy Birthday bruz 408
%E2%80%94 Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) November 30, 2014
Happy Birthday bras. We miss you.
%E2%80%94 Kane Richardson (@KWRichardson23) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday champa!
%E2%80%94 Tom Cooper (@tomcooper26) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday little man! Miss you so much already! @brad_owen13 Jacob fuller / Michael Boere xxxxx pic.twitter.com/qZe6rIvV4a
%E2%80%94 Chadd Sayers (@Chaddsayers27) November 29, 2014
Happy Birthday buddy #RIPhillipHughes #63notout #408forever #64 #cheekysmile
%E2%80%94 CraigMcDermott (@c_mcdermott328) November 29, 2014
Happy 26th Birthday bruz! Forever in our hearts #loveyamate pic.twitter.com/IcIwZzlqDF
%E2%80%94 Tim Ludeman (@tludey) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday little man. You were a champion in every sense. You made life fun for us all. Will miss you #63notout pic.twitter.com/OOhxtmq392
%E2%80%94 Andrew McDonald (@andrewmcdonald4) November 29, 2014
Happy 26th birthday Phil Hughes! My prayers are with you, your family,team mates and friends. #RIPPhil #408 #63notoutforever #Legend
%E2%80%94 Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) November 29, 2014
Happy birthday Hughbert! #408 #63notoutforever
%E2%80%94 Greg Blewett (@blewy214) November 29, 2014
Happy Birthday Hughey. #408 #RIPPhillipHughes http://t.co/YuCPZ4JPbV
%E2%80%94 Trent Copeland (@copes9) November 29, 2014
Tribute to Phil Hughes at old Trafford 👍#63notout pic.twitter.com/3eZwTWQnV7
%E2%80%94 Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) November 30, 2014