Mourners gather to remember Phillip Hughes in private wake

He was the batsman with an enviable record and a dedication to the game, but Phillip Hughes' managers and friends have continually described him as "humble", "no-fuss" and the type who liked to have a quiet drink with his mates.

Now, those mates and family have gathered in his hometown of Macksville to privately raise a glass and see him off after a day of public mourning under the media spotlight.

Australian cricketers along with Hughes' friends and family joined the wake after a final procession following the batsman's coffin through the streets of Macksville.

For the latest video, photos and news from Phillip Hughes' funeral, visit 9news.com.au/phillip-hughes

The wake will come as a measure of relief for the grieving mourners, who have endured a tough day saying farewell to Hughes in his beloved home town.

Michael Clarke joined his fellow pallbearers including Greg and Jason Hughes, Corey Ireland, Mitchell Lonergan, Matthew Day, Aaron Finch and Tom Cooper, to bear Hughes' coffin from the Macksville High School after a moving funeral service.

The officiating priests lead the procession along streets lined thickly with grieving mourners.

Hughes' fellow cricketers formed a guard of honour behind the procession as it passed by, before retiring to their own private wake.

The final march followed the packed-out service at Macksville High School, which included tributes by Clarke and Hughes' brother and sister.

“I am humbled to be in the presence of you – he was always so proud of Macksville and it’s easy to see why today," Clarke said.

“Phillip left a mark on our game that needs no embellishment.”

Clarke, who rushed to Hughes’ bedside as he fought for life in hospital, said he was still coming to grips with the loss of his mate.

“I know it’s crazy but I expect any minute to take a call from him or to see his face pop around the corner,” he said.

In his tribute, he told of his visit to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), a “sacred place”.

“Rest in peace my little brother, I’ll see you out in the middle.”

Hughes' brother, sister and cousin also led the tributes, speaking to a packed hall that included Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and opposition leader Bill Shorten.

Macksville has become the centre of the cricketing world today, as tributes to Hughes take place throughout Australia and around the world.

Hughes' manager has said the "no fuss" cricketer would have been "humbled" by all the attention as around the world people come together to bid a final farewell to the young batsman.

The hall at Macksville High School, where Hughes studied, is packed out with friends, family, cricketing luminaries and political leaders.

"He left a mark on our game that needs no embellishment," Clarke said.

"I don't know about you, but I keep looking for him."

Family friend Samantha Trodden led the assembly in a prayer for Hughes' loved ones, and thanked the medical staff at St Vincents Hospital for their efforts to save the fatally wounded man.

Cousin Nino Rammuno read the eulogy on behalf of the family.

"Phillip Joel Hughes was one of a kind," he said.

He spoke of Hughes' introduction to cricket as an emergency fill-in for his older brother Jason's team at age 10, scoring 25 as a tail-ender.

"Phillip was always a country boy at heart," he said.

"He was happiest on the farm with his dad."

Macksville's grieving residents earlier lined the streets to see Hughes' coffin carried through the town before his funeral.

Hughes' coffin was taken out of its hearse and carried solemnly to the funeral at the Macksville High School sports hall.

Australian captain Michael Clarke will be joined by Indian skipper Virat Kohli as the cricketing world pays its respects to the fallen batsman.

Hughes, 25, was playing for South Australia in a Sheffield Shield match against NSW when he was struck in the head by a ball from paceman Sean Abbott.

Hughes collapsed on the field and was taken to St Vincent's hospital, where he died last Thursday.

Abbott has also arrived in Macksville to pay his respects, after returning to training for the first time yesterday.

The bowler was shattered by his accidental role in Hughes' death, but family and friends of the fallen cricketer helped support him.

Clarke's wife Kyly paid tribute on social media to their fallen friend ahead of the funeral.

"We love you Hugh Dog, life won't be the same, here's to the day we see you again!" she wrote.

Hughes' manager James Henderson said the late cricketer would have been humbled by the attention.

He said Hughes was a man of abundant talent and fierce determination.

"Every time he got knocked down, he got dropped or knocked back down, he got straight back up," Henderson said.

"All he wanted to do was go out and bat again and score another century."

Tributes are taking place throughout Australia and around the world, with even the Vatican cricket team holding a service in Rome.

Qantas has hung bats up in airports around the country to honour Hughes, while at the SCG, Gabba, WACA and SACA, crowds are gathering for the memorial service.

Politicians earlier held a minute's silence in Parliament in Canberra to mark the sad occasion.

In Macksville, the town has rallied around the stricken Hughes family, offering help and support as they struggle to come to terms with their loved one's death.

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