Millions of Australians who had never met the young man were left numb as news filtered through that he had not regained consciousness after being felled by a delivery during a Sheffield Shield match on Tuesday.

It was the news we had all feared for two days, but confirmation of his death remained a shocking blow.

The sight of players flying in from inter-state to visit the stricken cricket star at St Vincent’s Hospital should have been the clue that he was not going to pull through but still, as a nation, we hoped.

That hope was extinguished by a short statement yesterday afternoon by Australian cricket team doctor Peter Brukner that confirmed Hughes had died and called for his family’s privacy to be respected.

The loss of any young life is shocking, but Phil Hughes’ death has resonated across Australia like few others.

And that’s because we mourn not only for his passing, but also for the pure enjoyment that cricket brings to us.

Every match we watch this summer will be tinged with the sadness of yesterday’s tragedy.

Every player that takes the field at any level will sense that their sport has changed forever.

Every bowler will think twice about their next short delivery; every batsman will think twice about their shot selection.

One ugly accident will dull those beautiful instincts that make the game such a joy to watch.

Cricket will remain Australia’s national pastime, but Phil Hughes’ death will leave a scar on out national psyche.

The game will never be the same.