Their eyes said it all.

One by one Australia’s cricketing elite filed out of St Vincent’s Hospital, unable to hold back their grief after saying their last goodbyes to their mate Phillip Hughes.

David Warner, who opened the batting for Australia, could not hide his emotions as he left the facility with his arms wrapped around his wife Candice Falzon, flanked by Victorian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.

Warner was on the field when Hughes collapsed at the SCG, one of the first to cradle him in his most vulnerable moment and one of the last to leave his bedside.

He was one of over 100 people to visit Hughes in the last 48 hours of the young batsman’s life.

Mitchell Starc was comforted by his girlfriend, Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy, but he could not hold back a stream of tears as they exited the hospital on Thursday afternoon.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith and Moises Henriques left together, united in their grief.

Steve Waugh and Hughes’ family friend and commentator Alan Jones were stoney-faced as they departed.

Over the next few days the Australian cricketing community will rally together to make sure his family, teammates, opponents and friends have a shoulder to lean on as they grapple with their despair.

So much of the focus will be on Sean Abbott, the NSW paceman who delivered the ball that hit Hughes.

Shortly after the news of Hughes’ death trickled through, Abbott emerged, his eyes bloodshot, Simon Katich placing a hand on his shoulder.

Abbott returned to the NSW Cricket headquarters at Moore Park – where flags were lowered to half-mast – to receive counselling.

The 22-year-old visited the hospital on Wednesday and Thursday. He spent long periods of time with Australian skipper Michael Clarke and Hughes’ sister Megan.

Clarke, who looked upon Hughes as a little brother, read out a statement on behalf of Hughes’ family.

“Cricket was Phillip’s life and we shared that love of the game with him,” Clarke said.

“We would like to thank all the medical and nursing staff at St Vincent’s Hospital and Cricket NSW medical staff for their great efforts with Phillip.

“We love you.”

Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Alistair Nicholson said Hughes’ last shot during his final innings of 63 not out typified him: “Aggressive, positive and defiant.”