Intro:

People across Australia watched a broadcast of the funeral of cricketer Phillip Hughes on Wednesday (3 December).

Script:

Phillip Hughes was laid to rest eight days after being struck by a cricket ball, ultimately ending in his death.

The funeral was a celebration of his life, and was witnessed by thousands in Hughes' home town of Macksville.

The funeral was also telecast live around Australia and on video screens at the Adelaide Oval, where the rescheduled first Test with India will start on the 9th December.

The service was also show at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where a row of 63 bats were propped up against pickets, each with an inscription of a special moment of Hughes' career.

Many who paid their tributes, were amazed by the support and togetherness of Austalian communities since the incident:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Mia Konig, Vox pop:

"I love how our community comes together at times like this. It's really amazing."

Owners of many shops and businesses shut down to attend the funeral, and schoolchildren were let out of their classes early to watch or attend the service.