A bleary-eyed Michael Clarke has detailed the deep pain enveloping the Australian cricket side, as they mourn the death of close friend Phillip Hughes.
Clarke read a prepared statement on behalf of the national team and support staff at the SCG on Saturday morning.
"Words cannot express the loss we all feel as a team," he started.
The visibly distraught skipper struggled to get the words out. It remained that way over the next two minutes.
READ MORE
• Why banning the bouncer won't work
• Distraught Michael Clarke read family tribute
• The tragic blow that killed Phillip Hughes
Clarke regularly took breaks to compose himself and wiped away tears while paying tribute to Hughes, who died on Thursday after being struck by a bouncer two days earlier.
"To Greg, Virginia, Jason and Megan (Hughes' family), we share in the deep pain that you're feeling," Clarke said. "Apart from when he was home on the farm with his beloved cattle, Hughesy was at his happiest playing cricket for his country with his mates.
MORE: Mike Hesson on Phillip Hughes tragedy: 'Our players have been struggling'
"Things were always put in perspective when Hughesy said 'where else would you rather be boys, but playing cricket for your country?'.
"We're going to miss that cheeky grin and that twinkle in his eye.
"The world lost one of its great blokes this week and we are all poorer for it."
