CRICKETERS and fans have paid their own very personal tribute to cricketer Phil Hughes as Worcestershire remembers one of its cherished stars.

Signed bats, hats and flowers were laid in the entrance to Worcestershire County Cricket Club at New Road, Worcester today in tribute to Mr Hughes who played at the club in 2012 and would have turned 26 on Sunday.

Hughes died in hospital on Thursday from injuries sustained after he was hit on the neck by a ball in an area unprotected by his helmet following a delivery from pace bowler Sean Abbott. He died two days after injuries suffered while batting for South Australia against New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield Match at Sydney Cricket Ground.

A bat signed by the squad was laid in the window while some cricketers left their own bats as a mark of respect for their fellow sportsman and friend.

In total there were seven bats laid within the first hour with more tributes expected to arrive from cricket fans and visitors throughout next week.

Ground staff left a tribute bat at the wicket while a fan left another bat at the boundary fence which said 'Phillip Hughes RIP 63* #PutOutYourBats'.

This refers to a Twitter hashtag as people across the world pay tribute to the young athlete who died aged 25.

Individual bats were left by Charlie Morris, captain Daryl Mitchell, George Rhodes, Chris Russell, Alexei Kervezee and Richard Oliver's bat was also brought out from the dressing room.

A spokesman for the club said: "I think there will be quite a few bats by next week. It was driven by the players themselves. People are all welcome to make their own tribute."

One fan left a note which summed up the sombre tone at the club and the shock many feel.

The note read: "RIP Phil Hughes. Deepest condolences to the Hughes family, today was a sad day for cricket everywhere. No-one deserves to an end an innings that way. Thank you Phil for your time at WCCC. It was a privilege to have you here. Sympathies go out to the Hughes family, Sean Abbott and his family as well as all others involved in the game. Keep playing cricket guys. Thank you."

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