Clarke to be pallbearer at Hughes’ funeral

Michael Clarke is poised to make an emotional farewell to Phillip Hughes by combining a tribute with pallbearer duties at his best mate’s funeral on Wednesday afternoon in Macksville.

The small town on the NSW mid-north coast is expected to shut down for the service starting at 2pm at the Macksville Recreation Centre, which is expected to cram in 700 people.

Thousands are expected to pay tribute to the 25-year-old batsman by watching the funeral from overflow areas at a nearby sports field.

Political heavyweights and a veritable who’s who of Australian cricket are set to attend the funeral of Hughes who died last week after being hit in the head by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, opposition leader Bill Shorten and NSW Premier Mike Baird have been confirmed.

The full Australian Test squad and a host of former greats including Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee are set to pay their respects at the one-hour service.

Several members of the Indian cricket team, including acting captain Virat Kohli, are also due in Macksville for the ceremony.

Just four days after Clarke’s heart-wrenching statement on behalf of the Australian team in Sydney, the Test skipper will carry the coffin of Hughes.

He will joined by Phillip’s father Greg Hughes, brother Jason Hughes, cricketers Aaron Finch and Tom Cooper, and locals Corey Ireland, Mitchell Lonergan and Matthew Day.

Hughes’ sister Megan, brother Jason and Nino Ramunno will deliver the eulogy.

While the focus will be on Macksville, the funeral will be broadcast at the SCG, Melbourne’s Federation Square, the Gabba and Brisbane’s Southbank, the WACA, the Adelaide Oval and Bellerive Oval for mourning fans.

Father Michael Alcock will lead the service with opening music being Forever Young with Clarke and Hughes’ long-time friend Corey Ireland to deliver tributes.

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me will be played at the conclusion and a guard of honour formed by cricketers.

There will then be a public procession behind the hearse through Macksville’s main streets.

Local Wally Sweet, who spent Tuesday evening putting up ribbons to mark the procession route, said the community was heartbroken.

“He came from nothing and worked his way up through sheer hard work, so in a small town like this, we are pretty proud of that,” he told AAP.

“His death is so sudden. I don’t think it will really sink in until the funeral (for the community). That is when it is going to sink in.”

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