Phillip Hughes was remembered as a wonderful young man and much-loved friend, teammate, son and brother who was robbed of the chance to achieve his potential in the game.

Australian cricket and sport was in mourning on Thursday after Hughes died in a Sydney hospital, two days after being seriously injured by a short ball that struck him on the skull. He was 25.

Tributes flowed from his family, present and former cricket greats, Australian sporting stars and leading figures from both sides of politics passing condolences to Hughes' family and friends.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the organisation was "completely devastated" by Hughes' death but said their loss was nothing compared with that felt by the late player's friends and family. "Phillip was a cherished son, brother, friend and teammate," he said.

Sutherland, who described the "freak accident" that took Hughes' life as a "real-life tragedy", said Hughes was a "rising star whose best cricket was still ahead of him". "He will forever be remembered as one of the elite few to have worn the baggy green cap – cap 408, to be precise," he said. "He was a hero to kids around the nation, particularly those in the region around his home town of Macksville in NSW, that he did so proud in his 26 Test matches – a tally that looked certain to grow, but now sadly never will.

"But it was Phillip as a person that we will miss most.  He was a classic example of his country upbringing – humble, understated and hard-working.  When the chips were down, or he had a setback, he simply got on with the job and worked harder.  He set a wonderful example to any young person seeking to make their way in life. Our hearts go out to the Hughes family right now. Phillip Joel Hughes played 26 Tests for his country. He'll be sadly missed and forever remembered."

Flags flew at half-mast at the SCG shortly after Hughes'  death was announced by CA while the touring Indian team held a minute's silence and cancelled training. Play was suspended in the third Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Sharjah in respect for Hughes.

The tour match between a CA XI and India was postponed and there will be no grade cricket in Sydney this weekend.

Hughes' teammates and coaches were among those who used Twitter to pay their respects. "RIP you little champ, we are all going to miss you ! Love, prayers to all the Hughes family xxxx," wrote national coach Darren Lehmann.

Steve Smith, a teammate of Hughes' at state and international level, wrote: "Rest in peace Hughesy. I am really going to miss you. You were 1 of the great blokes and I will never forget you. #408 will live on forever."

Craig McDermott, a member of Australia's coaching staff, said Hughes' spirit would be missed.

"RIP Hubert, we will all miss you smiling face and fighting spirit. You are the baggy green from top to bottom," McDermott wrote.

Former NSW and Australian paceman Mike Whitney, chairman of the former NSW players' group Baggy Blues, said the organisation was shocked at the loss of a "beautiful, beautiful person".

"It is such a tragic loss," Whitney said. "He is one of the Baggy Blues [brothers]. Before anything, he was one of us and, while I know South Australia will feel that same way because he played for them, his roots are with NSW and our sympathy is with Phillip's family, Sean Abbott and those people who were there on the day ... This is a tragedy."

Cricket NSW chairman John Warn described Hughes, who was born and raised in the farming community of Macksville in northern NSW, as a "loveable, quiet and affectionate young man".

"Phillip has left an indelible impression on the game as a player and a person," Warn said.

CNSW CEO Andrew Jones said Hughes would be remembered as a "bright and cheeky young man with an infectious smile who emerged as an outstanding junior more than a decade ago".

"For all his good humour, he took cricket very seriously and always worked tremendously hard at his game," Jones said.

Leave your tributes here.