Hundreds of mourners packed a high school auditorium in the Australian town of Macksville
....and hundreds more gathered at a field outside...
to pay their last respects to cricketer Philip Hughes.
The star sportsman -- who would have been 26 on November 30th -- died last week of injuries suffered during a cricket match when he was hit in the neck by a ball.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott was one of the more-high profile guests at the funeral in New South Wales but most of the mourners were locals who came out to honor one of their own -- someone who was remembered as a country boy at heart.
In the eulogy his cousin recounted epic neighborhood cricket matches during their childhood, and Jason Hughes read a letter he had written to his younger brother.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILLIP'S BROTHER JASON HUGHES SAYING:
"All I ever wanted was for you to look up to me as your big brother. I still can't believe I am here saying my final goodbyes. E