Cricketer Phillip Hughes laid to rest

Thousands of people gathered Wednesday in the town of Macksville, Australia, for the funeral of cricket star Phillip Hughes.

The funeral service was held at Hughes' old school, which has the only hall in the town big enough to hold the thousands of mourners. It began with the song "Forever Young."

Cricket players from around Australia flew into the small seaside town in northern New South Wales in the morning. Australian test captain Michael Clarke was among the pallbearers. India's acting captain Virat Kohli and West Indies great Brian Lara also attended to pay their respects, along with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and many other political and community leaders.

Live footage showed a full auditorium and mourners sitting on the grass outside the building.

Hughes' manager James Henderson said the family wanted everybody to celebrate the life of Phillip Hughes who was just 25 years old when he died in what has been described as a freak accident.

Thousands of cricket fans around the world have posted photos online of cricket bats leaning against fences and gates in tribute.

Hughes died in hospital last Thursday of a cerebral hemorrhage after being struck during a domestic match.

In a statement last week, Prime Minister Tony Abbott called Hughes' death "heartbreaking," saying the cricketer was "loved, admired and respected by his teammates and his legions of fans."

sb/jm (dpa, AFP)