Phillip Hughes: Funeral Held For Cricket Star

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Gallery: Australia Says Goodbye To Its Hero

Australia's cricket team has said goodbye to their former colleague Phillip Hughes who died last week

Tributes have also been paid around the country

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The batsman was hit on the neck during a Sheffield Shield game in Sydney

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Australian captain Michael Clarke said last week: "Words cannot express the loss we all feel as a team right now."

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A funeral service for Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes is about to begin in his hometown of Macksville, New South Wales.

The 25-year-old batsmen died in hospital in Sydney last week after he was hit on the back of the neck by a cricket ball during New South Wales' first-class match against South Australia.

He had scored 63 runs when he was hit by a short ball from bowler Sean Abbott and was wearing a helmet at the time.

Around 1,000 people, mostly locals, packed into Macksville High School for the service, with hundreds more watching on big screens outside.

The service was also broadcast live on national television and on big screens in Australia's major cities, including at the Sydney Cricket Ground where Hughes was fatally injured.

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Gallery: Phillip Hughes: Cricket Career In Pictures

Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes has died after suffering a severe head injury during a match at the Sydney Cricket Ground

Cricket Australia confirmed the 25-year-old's death, saying: "Our thoughts go out to Phillip's family, friends, and the entire cricket community"

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Hughes had scored 63 runs during the New South Wales vs South Australia match when he was hit by a ball

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Hughes' siblings, Jason and Megan, paid tribute to their brother during the service on behalf of the family.

The mourners included Prime Minister Tony Abbott, the Australia cricket team and Sean Abbott.

Former Australian players Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath and the Waugh brothers all attended, alongside Richard Hadlee, Brian Lara and India batsman Virat Kohli.

Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke acted as a pallbearer for his close friend during the service.

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Gallery: #PutYourBatsOut Tribute To Phillip Hughes

England cricketers put their bats out in their dressing room in memory of Australian cricketer Phil Hughes at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka

A cricket bat and cap left by a Cricket Victoria player sits in the players tunnel at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

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On Saturday, Clarke paid an emotional tribute to his teammate and announced that Hughes' one-day international shirt number 64 would be retired.

He said: "Words cannot express the loss we all feel as a team right now.

"His legacy of trying to improve each and every day will drive us for the rest of our lives. Our dressing room will never be the same, we loved him and always will."

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