Captain Michael Clarke has promised the Australian cricket side will do everything it can to honour Phillip Hughes’ memory.

Clarke read a prepared statement on behalf of the national team and support staff at the SCG on Saturday morning.

A visibly distraught Clarke struggled to get the words out, as he paid tribute to a close friend who “epitomised what the baggy green is about and what it means to us all”.

“To Greg, Virginia, Jason and Megan (Hughes’ family), we share in the deep pain that you’re feeling,” Clarke said.

The 25-year-old Hughes died on Thursday after being struck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield game on Tuesday.

Clarke revealed Phillip Hughes’ one-day shirt number would be retired.

“Our promise to Hughesy’s family is that we will do everything we can to honour his memory,” Clarke said.

“Last night, I asked Cricket Australia if Hughesy’s Australian one-day international shirt, number 64, could be retired – to which they agreed.”

Clarke fought back tears throughout the statement to the media, regularly taking breaks to compose himself.

“Apart from when he was home on the farm with his beloved cattle, Hughesy was at his happiest playing cricket for his country with his mates,” he said.

“Things were always put in perspective when Hughesy said ‘where else would you rather be boys, but playing cricket for your country?’.

“We’re going to miss that cheeky grin and that twinkle in his eye.

“The world lost one of its great blokes this week and we are all poorer for it.”

Clarke added that Hughes’ legacy of “trying to improve each and every day will drive us for the rest of our lives”.

“We’d like to thank everyone here and overseas for the touching tributes to Hughesy in recent days,” he said.

“Our dressing room will never be the same. We loved him and always will.”

“Rest in peace bruzzy.”