Philip Hughes (1988-2014), R.I.P.

Watching Phillip Hughes, so boyish, cheerful and amiable, was all about the future. There was barely any past...

He had the attitude. He had the look. Here was a cricketer, we told ourselves, with time on his side. Perhaps he assuaged his disappointments the same way. Certainly, he handled himself as first reserve with dignity, patience and enthusiasm.

Thus the intensity of the shock at his loss. Hughes is the tomorrow cricketer who will now form part of history. He is not the youngest Test cricketer to die. That tragic mantle still belongs to Manjural Islam Rana, the Bangladeshi spinner who was 22 when he died in a traffic accident in March 2007.

But he has become the first to be cut down, as it were, before our very eyes — in the act, in full bloom, in the presence of his mother and sister, by a delivery from a bowler who just six weeks ago was his teammate in a one-day series in the Gulf.

—Forever young, that’s how we’ll remember Phillip Hughes
Gideon Haigh in the Australian

It's not been the same for the world Cricket community since Nov 25, and today was a tragic reminder of the fragility of life:

A special video tribute to Phillip Hughes, put together by @AC_Goldie. #PhillipHughes408 https://t.co/DtonutiEss

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 27, 2014

Cricket is united in grief today for the loss of Phillip Hughes, he will forever be #63NotOut pic.twitter.com/zhKZPtXnwV

— ICC (@ICC) November 27, 2014

Sourav Ganguly on Phillip Hughes : International cricket has lost a young talent, it is really sad pic.twitter.com/uPS694WNud

— ANI (@ANI_news) November 27, 2014

I guess the scorecard of that game will always say : Phillip Hughes 63no

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 27, 2014

Our condolences and prayers with Phil Hughes' family. May his soul rest in peace. #PhilHughes #CricketFamily

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 27, 2014

No words can describe the loss ???? Rip pic.twitter.com/3kOm5MkVsc

— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) November 27, 2014

Shocked to hear about Phil. Sad day for cricket. Deepest condolences to family, friends and well wishers. RIP #PhilipHughes

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 27, 2014

Shocked and saddened by the news of Phil Hughes. Horrible day for cricket. RIP Phil and may your family gain the strength to cope.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) November 27, 2014

Saddest day in cricket fraternity. Rest in peace mate and Sean Abbott stay strong #PhilHughes

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) November 27, 2014

RIP Phillip Hughes...country...brilliant...loved...balanced...selfless...fair dinkum.The point fielder in heaven is nervous...very nervous.

— Kerry O'Keeffe (@kokeeffe49) November 27, 2014

Rest peacefully our little brother...may God hold you in the palm of his hand forever. Deepest sympathies to the Hughes Family and friends

— Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) November 27, 2014

RIP you little champ, we are all going to miss you ! Love, prayers to all the Hughes family xxxx

— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) November 27, 2014

I'm not sure how we gonna forget this smile brother ????????..... U left us so early ???? We miss u so much ????????????#RIPHughesy pic.twitter.com/pSG3xzjp4c