Rich eulogies at Phillip Hughes' funeral: Who said what

Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died on Thursday at St. Vincent’s Hospital after being hit by a bouncer on his head during a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on November 25. His funeral took place today (December 3) at his hometown Macksville, with father Gregory Hughes, elder brother Jason Hughes, Australian Test captain Michael Clarke, family friends Corey Ireland, Mitchell Lonergan, Matthew Day and fellow cricketers Aaron Finch and Tom Cooper being the pallbearers. Here is a compilation of the eulogies paid to the deceased left-hander: Note: Quotes taken from The Guardian’s coverage

#6 Nino Ramunno, Phillip Hughes\' cousin

Virginia Hughes (mother) broke down, daughter Megan Hughes (L)

Ramunno recalled how Phillip Hughes was introduced to the game. Phillip initially refused to play as a replacement for his older brother Jason, but then yielded, as he didn’t want to risk being bullied as a ‘wuss’ by his family members. He said: “From that moment he fell in love with the game. That was the start of hundreds, if not thousands of games of backyard cricket held in various backyards of East Street, Macksville.”

He scored 25 runs in that match coming in as a lower order batsman.

Mummy’s boy

Phillip’s professional career began with a 64 for Nambucca-Bellingen Under-12s team. Ramunno also said that despite becoming close with his father as his cricket career progressed, Phillip was always a ‘mummy’s boy’.

“He would call his mum every day without fail, referring to her as Mummy, Vinnie and Mum. When Phillip used the greeting Mum, aunty Virginia knew Phillip needed to talk. Phillip idolised his mother and would often seek her guidance as advice as part of those daily calls.“

He concluded by praising Phillip’s toughness, rating it as something beyond his years. “When he got knocked down he would simply dust himself off, set goals to get better. I’d never ever once heard him complain about being drop from the Australian team. His mental strength was beyond his years. And when he faced a situation he would treat it as another challenge that he would overcome and believe that he would come back bigger and stronger and preferring to pile on runs.

“I’ll miss you greatly, Cuz, but I’ll never forget you and the great times we shared.”

#5 Jason Hughes, Phillip\'s brother

The coffin of Phillip Hughes is carried down the aisle during the Funeral Service

Jason Hughes listed things that he would miss out on, before promising that he will take good care of their family.

He said: “Our backyard cricket battles were incredible. You always had to win and keep batting on for days. I bowled to you for hours and even though my body was sore and tired, I’m very glad that I played a major part in you achieving your dreams.”

On things he’ll miss

“The constant calls from home, interstate or overseas and all the messages just to check the spelling of “tricky and the not so tricky” words.

Weekly picture messages with an update of Hughes “rig” although at times, Jason says, Phillip fluctuated. “I reckon the last image was spot on. You looked pretty fit.”

The nights from the Palace in Malt Lake to darling Harbour.

Their final first grade cricket game together where Jason bowled 5/19 off 10 overs.”

His promises

“Firstly I will take good care of Mum, Dad, Megan and of course your beloved cows.

I promise to keep an eye on the investment market for some future business conversations down the track which we have discussed daily for the past 2 years.

I promise to get back on the horse and play the game we both loved.

I will endeavour to become the best player I can be.Now it’s time to say goodbye, take care.”

I miss you, I’m so proud of you, thank you again for all the memories. I love you now and forever.

#4 Megan Hughes, Phillip\'s sister

Members of the church and public walk ahead of the hearse

Megan Hughes narrated what Phillip and his support to the family meant to her.

Most amazing brother ever

“Phillip, I am so honoured to call you my brother, my best friend and my hero. The memories we share will always be the link that keeps us together, even though you physically can’t hug your little sister in the times of need.

“I know that wherever you are within this world you will be looking down upon all of your loved ones to shed light whenever times get tough. Your smile, the twinkle in your eyes, your witty charm and the humour you provided will never fade. I want to thank you for being the most amazing brother I could ask for. They always say you cannot choose your family, but I wouldn’t want mine any other way.”

Promise I will never take anything for granted

“I’m sorry you cannot be here with us any longer but I promise that all the dreams and thoughts we had about the future I will continue in your honour. You always protected me and stood up for me when need be. I honestly couldn’t imagine having all my memories with someone else.

“There won’t be a day that goes by that I won’t think of you. I promise I will talk to you every day and keep you company up there. You certainly have changed the way I look and appreciate life. I promise I will never take anything for granted from this day forward and take any opportunity that comes my way.”

#3 Family Friend Corey Ireland

People lay flowers at the Randwick End of the SCG

Corey Ireland, then, recounted how Hughes “instantly fitted” into his family. He said:

“I learnt that he was handy on the cricket pitch but our conversations were more about cattle, genetics, bulls. The thing that we loved about Hughesy was that he instantly fitted in to our family. He soon became an important member of our family. He was always playing pranks with the boys who were 10 and 8 and leading them astray, which they loved.

“From our boys having cut off Cricket Australia track pants which Hughesy had supplied and altered himself, to taking the boys around the Sydney Show. They came back with a total of 26 show bags. And when asked to explain, Phillip simply said, “I promised they could have whatever show bags they wanted.”

#2 Michael Clarke, Australian captain

Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke revealed that he visited the SCG on Thursday night. He said:

“I don’t know about you, but I keep looking for him. I know it’s crazy but I expect any minute to take a call from him. Or to see his face pop around the corner. Is this what we call the spirit? If so, then his spirit is still with me and I hope it never leaves.

SCG now a safer place for me

“I walked in the middle of the SCG on Thursday night. Those same blades of grass beneath my feet where he and I and so many of his mates here today have built partnerships, taken chances and lived out the dreams we painted in our heads as boys. The same stands where the crowds rose to their feet to cheer him on and that same fence he sent the ball to time and time again.

"Telling me off for that loose shot I'd played, chatting about what movie we'd watch that night, and then passing on a useless fact about cows. I could see him swagger back to the other end, grin at the bowler, then call me through for a run with such a booming voice a bloke in the car park could hear it.”

“And it’s now forever the place where he fell.

"Is this what people indigenous people believe about the spirit of a person being connected on the land he walked? If so, they're right about SCG. His spirit has touched it, and it will forever be a safer place for me."

“This is what makes our game the greatest game in the world. Phillip’s spirit, which is now part of our game forever, will act as a custodian of the sport we all love. We must listen to it, we must cherish it, we must learn from it, we must dig in, ... we... must dig in and get through to tea. And we must play on. So rest in peace, my little brother, I’ll see you out in the middle.”

#1 James Sutherland, Cricket Australia CEO

James Sutherland

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland completed the tributes by saying, “Mere words are woefully inadequate at times like this.”

“Cricket’s heart has been pierced by pain but will never stop beating. It will find its rhythm next week in Adelaide and beyond and wherever cricketers gather, they will always hold Phillip Hughes and his family close to that generous beating heart. Phillip Hughes, forever, unconquered on 63.”