Phillip Hughes's Moving Tribute

Michael Clarke wipes away tears as he returns to the Adelaide Oval on December 9. Photo: Getty Images

In a moving tribute before the start of the first Test between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval on December 9, the teams and a
crowd of 20,000 clapped for 63 seconds in memory of Phil Hughes' final batting score.

The Australian cricket team embrace during a moving tribute to Phillip Hughes on December 9. Photo: Getty

As the national anthem was sung, the Australian cricket team held each other tightly, armed wrapped around each player, ready for the first day's play.

"It was very very moving," said Shane Warne, part of the NINE network's commentary team.

In memory of Phillip Hughes, who was killed after being hit by a cricket ball on Nov.25, the late batsman was named 13th man in the squad and his number 408 has been painted on the field grass.

The Adelaide Oval pays tribute to Phillip Hughes

Australian Test captain Michael Clarke told the NINE network before the game that they will have a 13th man "for the rest of their careers," he said. "Phillip is our 13th man and he will be there the whole way … We are ready to go, the boys are excited and I think the players, the public, the media, everybody is excited to get out and start playing cricket."

"I think its going to take a long time to get over it but what is most important and what I know my little buddy would like us doing is getting out there and playing some good cricket."