Michael Clarke, via his Instagram account, posted a series of photos to remember Phil Hughes on his birthday on Sunday. The young and promising Australian left-hander lost his life after a bouncer knocked him out.
"I don't have a blood brother, but I am very proud to have called Phillip my brother. I am a better man for having known him," added Clarke remembering a close bond the duo shared.
Remembering Phil Hughes' cheeky grin, Clarke said, "He also had a knack of making people laugh. I remember the last time we batted together: we would meet in the middle of the pitch and I would be asking him whether the ball was moving in the air or
Remembering Hughesy, Clarke wrote, "I don't think in 12 years of playing cricket at the top level I have ever come across a more loyal or generous-hearted teammate."
Going through some of the hardest times of his life following a dear friend's untimely death, Clarke on the day of Phil Hughes' birthday wrote, "Will love you forever. It has been the hardest few days of my life."
"Loyal to a fault, eternally optimistic, kind-hearted, wicked sense of humour, a child-like verve for life... I really could go on and on," Michael Clarke wrote.
The Australian skipper said, "His (Hughes’) cricketing achievements -- of which there were many -- really play second fiddle to the human qualities that he exhibited."
Michael Clarke "struggled to comprehend how this tragedy could happen to one of life's true characters and gentlemen".
Phil Hughes’ best buddy and Australian skipper Michael Clarke wrote a moving birthday tribute on Hughes' birthday.
Michael Clarke remembers ‘brother’ Phil Hughes