Worcestershire County Cricket Club has paid tribute to former batsman and Australian international Phil Hughes, who tragically died today (November 27) aged just 25.

Hughes, who played for Worcestershire during the 2012 season, passed away after being hit on the head by a cricket ball at Sydney Cricket Ground two days ago.

Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said Hughes never regained consciousness and died in hospital in Sydney.

Worcestershire CCC Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes led the tributes to the popular player.

He said: "The players, coaches and supporters of Worcestershire CCC are both shocked and saddened to lose such a talented cricketer and tremendous friend at such a tender age.

"Phil was popular with everyone here at New Rd and our thoughts go out to his family in this difficult time.

"His life has been taken away playing a game he loved on a cricket ground he loved in his home state of New South Wales.

"He will long be remembered for his run making ability but in the dressing rooms where he padded up we all will remember the quiet team man sat in the corner with a cheeky smile who was 'Hughesie'.

"The thing about Hughesie is you forget he was a really young bloke (23) when he came to us as well and in some ways an immature dressing room - in terms of their ages - were excited by such a gifted Test cricketer coming to join us.

"They weren't sure how he was going to be - and when he came he was very much a down to earth country boy who just wanted to get on and play cricket. He went down so well with the team and everyone.

"There was no 'I'm a Test cricketer' about him. He was just a colleague in the team."

Rhodes added: "I think what he enjoyed about Worcestershire was the fact the team were so close and the dressing room was so good and socially were altogether and live quite close together which suited him fine.

"The place itself was not a big city which suited him, he preferred the country life, and the overall ambience and nature of Worcestershire is what appealed to him.

"He was very well liked because he didn't have a bad word to say about anyone and had a cheeky sort of personality, very happy and very smiley and was a real popular member of the side."

Hughes admitted his spell at New Road was key to him regaining his Test spot for the 2013 Ashes.

Rhodes said: "We just wanted to give him a platform to try and do that and we did. But the main work was done by Phil. We gave him an opportunity to get back in there and play and he managed to do it.

"A wonderful player but more importantly a real humble and wonderful person. He was popular with everyone. Moeen (Ali) and him got on really well, Coxy (Ben Cox) got on really well with him but you couldn't fail to get on with him.

"He was a good role model, a good professional and in many ways that easy going country boy, farming type who sat in a corner and got on with his job which was scoring runs. He was well liked, the lads loved him, loved his company."

His former New Road colleagues were also quick to express their shock and sadness at his death via social media.

Assistant coach-bowling coach and fellow Australian Matt Mason wrote: "Our club has lost another great player and true friend. You will always be remembered as a Worcestershire lad by us all. RIP mate."

Skipper and opening batsman Daryl Mitchell said: "Absolutely gutted. Pleasure to play with, honoured to call him a team-mate."

Paceman Jack Shantry wrote: "Hasn't sunk in, won't for a while. Was a pleasure to have played with and known Phil. Thoughts with his family."

All-rounder Joe Leach wrote: "Thoughts obviously with family. Hopefully they can take some comfort in the amount of love being shown Phil."