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Philip Hughes Cricketer: Australian cricketer Sean Abbott was visibly emotional as tributes were paid to the late Phillip Hughes on Wednesday, marking the 10th anniversary of Hughes' tragic passing. Hughes lost his life in 2014 after being struck on the neck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Abbott, who bowled the delivery that struck Hughes during the match between New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia, was comforted by his NSW teammates during the solemn commemoration. The team observed a minute’s silence at the SCG before the start of play on the fourth day of their Sheffield Shield game against Tasmania.

Hughes, a highly talented cricketer who represented Australia in 26 Tests, 25 ODIs, and one T20I, tragically passed away just three days before his 26th birthday.

As part of the remembrance, Sheffield Shield players across matches have been wearing black armbands since Saturday to honor Hughes' memory and his enduring legacy in Australian cricket.

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"Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the passing of our treasured son and brother, Phillip Joel Hughes," the family said in its message.

"Phillip was a loving, humorous and an infectious person to be around."

According to reports in local media, Abbott was consulted in advance about whether he would be comfortable with a match being scheduled on the anniversary of one of the most saddest moments in Australian sports.

The family further said, "He always aimed to make those around him smile and enjoy the little things in life, where his beautiful smile would come to life. He shined bright even in the tough times, which is a testament to who he was as a person, and we loved everything about him.

"He was the light of our lives. Phillip had a profound love for his family and lived his life with respect to everyone around him.

Cricket Australia had planned in advance a series of initiatives to mark the 10th anniversary of Hughes' death including a tribute before the start of the second Test between India and Australia at the Adelaide Oval scheduled from December 6-10.

"Phillip, the small-town country boy, became an Australian Test, One-Day and Twenty-20 cricketer, where he played on the toughest pitches around the globe, alongside the toughest of cricketers on the world stage, but never forgot where he came from and who helped along the way," the family said in the message.

"He was a unique individual that took risky and adventurous strides to conquer the dreams he set for himself to become test baggy green number 408.

"He played cricket for all the right reasons and had the ability to take it all in his stride. He loved being a part of a team and representing Australia for the game he loved so deeply."

Cricket Australia, which has produced a special documentary on him, will broadcast it ahead of the second Test between India and Australia, as part of a two-week commemoration programme.

Batting on 63, Hughes collapsed before receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and was subsequently taken to Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital, where he underwent surgery and was placed in an induced coma.

Hughes, however, could not recover from the blow and died on November 27. The left-hander was viewed as one of the promising Australian cricketers as the team went through a transitional phase.

Inputs from PTI