BBC Radio 5 live

On BBC Radio 5 live now is a special programme which is broadcast live from Melbourne.

Presenter Alison Mitchell is joined by ABC's lead broadcaster Gerard Whateley and Chloe Saltau, chief cricket writer at The Age.

Guests also include former Australian batsman Michael Slater and Hughes' former Baggy Green team-mate Adam Gilchrist.

Mark Murfin: So terrible, deepest condolences to Phillip's family and friends, from all English cricket fans.

Image source, Getty Images

Australia rugby union captain Michael Hooper says his team will be thinking of Phillip Hughes when they face England on Saturday.

The Wallabies will wear black armbands in the cricketer's memory at Twickenham.

"For us as a team it was a pretty sombre mood when we heard," says Hooper. "We all love our cricket, see these guys play and a lot of our guys have met the cricketers and have some good feelings towards them.

"So your thoughts and messages go back to him, his family and the cricket team back home to pull strong."

Arthur Pickthorn:, external Got Hughes' autograph when he was at Worcs and he shook my hand and said he hoped I enjoyed the day. Still can't believe it. RIP

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More from Graeme Swann: "His first class record speaks for itself - it is phenomenal. I couldn't believe he was only 25 to be honest because I knew how many 100s he had got.

"He would have undoubtedly played in three or four more Ashes. I'm sure he would have stamped his authority on one series at least and be known as an all-time great.

"It is a tragic loss for Australia and world cricket."

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Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes Phillip Hughes had the ability to become an "all-time Ashes great".

"He was a great player and his record speaks volumes," said Swann, who played against Hughes in the 2009 Ashes. "At only 25, he had some incredible first class success.

"He had not really put name on an Ashes series as he would have undoubtedly done in the future.

"The English public had probably not seen the best of him but we knew in the England changing room how good he was. We didn't take him lightly and he was a player you were always glad to see the back of."

The Courier-Mail, a Brisbane-based daily tabloid newspaper, has a picture of Phillip Hughes' Baggy Green cap underneath his international record on its back page.

Russell, Hereford: Sat in my car this morning switched the radio on and heard the news about Hughes. I could have cried. A massive cricket follower and still play at a local level. Totally numb and can't believe that's happened in cricket. RIP Phillip Hughes.

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Radio 5 live

"Yes, you want bowlers to be aggressive, that's the nature of Test match cricket. You want fast bowlers firing down bouncers intimidating batsman. That's high level sport. You want bowlers to get into a batsmen's mind.

"But over the last few years cricket has gone beyond respect. I hope this incident will send a message worldwide that you play aggressive but let's stamp out this verbal abuse."

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Radio 5 live

"I look at the game over the last few years and we have seen incidents out in the middle, and there have been some verbal exchanges.

"We saw that in Australia during the last Ashes when it got nasty, the Michael Clarke incident with Jimmy Anderson.

Image source, Getty Images

"If anything can be learned from this tragic event I hope it is that those kind of events don't happen, that verbal confrontation and abuse to batsmen doesn't happen."

Talks are continuing between England's rugby union side and their Australian counterparts about a tribute to Phillip Hughes ahead of Saturday's Autumn Test at Twickenham.

Former England bowler Dominic Cork on the effect of seeing an opponent hit by a bouncer: "As a bowler you do not go out with the intention to harm a batsman, but you do go out with intimidation - that's part of your make up.

"Personally I hit players and the most notable example was Kieron Pollard in the 2010 Twenty20 final between Hampshire and Somerset.

Image source, Getty Images

"We had a bit of banter and I mentioned that I might bowl a bouncer. I did and it hit him in the eye. He was down on his haunches, I went up to him and for a minute you just go cold.

"I made sure I got his personal number to make sure his eye recovered and was OK. Sean Abbott will have a lot to consider and I hope he will be OK."

Image source, Nine News Adelaide/Twitter

Many floral tributes to Phillip Hughes have been left outside cricket grounds in Australia and across the world. The Nine News network in Adelaide have posted this picture of the bouquets at the Adelaide Oval - the home stadium of Hughes' team South Australia.

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

Former Hampshire captain Dominic Cork, who helped bring Phillip Hughes to the county in 2010: "We decided to fly him in having seen how well he had done at Middlesex, how talented he was, and his youth because we thought he would fit in well with our young team. It was a delight to meet him.

"I was captain so the younger players keep away from most cricket captains socially because they will be telling them not to drink too much and eat the right things!

"But he fitted in nicely because we were a young side. He was always laughing, was a practical joker and he was a really good bloke to know."

Jim Maxwell, Australian Broadcasting Corporatation cricket commentator

"It's hard to believe that all of a sudden, on the verge of another re-appearance for Australia, Phillip Hughes' career and his life has been taken away.

"Cricket's the national sport. We've had the prime minister and former prime minister in a very disturbed way about what's occurred. You cannot believe the circumstances, as I say, of Phillip Hughes's death and the country is certainly in mourning tonight."

Tim, via text on 81111: I got hit by a cricket ball when I was 15, broke my eye socket, cheek bone and nose. Took two months to recover completely. Was unconscious for about six hours. I still play cricket but it is a dangerous sport. Cricket has lost a legend in the making. Thoughts going out to his family and friends.

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Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen says he admired Phillip Hughes' style and enjoyed watching the Australia batsman play.

"He played the type of game I liked and I always watched him from afar," says Pietersen.

"You always check up on certain individuals because you like the brand of cricket they play - and he was one of those.

"We knew if we weren't on our game he would punish us. He entertained. He scored really quickly and I liked that about him."

Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the death of Phillip Hughes has "shocked and dismayed millions and millions of Australians".

He added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. And we also must remember Sean Abbott who will be devastated at this accident."

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

"Should the bouncer be banned from cricket? No chance. The day someone says the bouncer has to stop is the day that anyone can play.

"That's the difference between those who don't play at a high level and those who do, those who can face the quick stuff.

"This is a freak accident and if bouncers are outlawed then it will be the end of Test match cricket. The aggressive nature of Test match cricket has to carry on."

Michael Vaughan
Former England captain on BBC Radio 5 live

"It will be a real long process for Australia to see an end and move on from this tragic event.

"It is going to be an awful time for Phillip Hughes' team-mates at South Australia, New South Wales and Cricket Australia.

"But in time the game will have to carry on. Phillip Hughes was such a fighter and he will be looking down at the other Aussie players saying 'get out there and play. Play in that aggressive manner that I played'."