Hot News: Phillip Hughes fans pay tribute with moving #putoutyourbats campaign

Fans around the world have been paying tributes to Phillip Hughes via a touching social media campaign by leaving their cricket bats out and sharing a picture on Twitter.

The first picture was posted by Paul Taylor with the message #putoutyourbats and the poignant memorial has quickly spread across the globe.

Hughes died in hospital on Thursday after he was struck on the head by a short delivery during a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney on Tuesday. - Paul D. Taylor (@Squizabilly)

#RIPPhillipHughes #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/qqbrtOr93A

Taylor, a Sydney man, declined media requests for interviews but explained his campaign on Twitter: - Paul D. Taylor (@Squizabilly)

....we've all grown up with a bat and ball. This is our way to connect and show our sadness. Thoughts also must go to Sean Abbott. Thank you - Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)

#RIPHughesy. #Putoutyourbat http://t.co/XA0UAeroOU - Dean Jones (@ProfDeano)

My 1989 Ashes bat.. Norman on security watch #RIPHughesy #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/8aTDRuVDyx - Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort)

A lone bat out the front of the SCG that reads 'RIP P.Hughes 63n.o forever' #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/OaMev7nb0c - Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381)

From the Gilly kids xxx #PutOutYourBats #RIPPhillipHughes pic.twitter.com/aeheTLw5dI - Andrew Gilchrist (@agilchrist_)

Terrific tribute to Phil Hughes. Forever 63 not out. #putoutyourbat @newscomauHQ pic.twitter.com/U3mWh2UIsN - Jonathan Trott (@Trotty)

What more can I say... #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/R8tCyzOINk - Paul D. Taylor (@Squizabilly)

#RIPPhillipHughes #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/qqbrtOr93A - Anna Meares (@AnnaMeares)

She's a bit worse for wear, But this bat has brought much happiness #putoutyourbats #PhilHughes #63notoutforever pic.twitter.com/Q1WybiQKUr

And Google Australia joined the cause on Friday.

Many said #putoutyourbats proves the power of social media to comfort a grieving community. - Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23)

The silent poignancy of #putoutyourbats is a beautiful thing - Tom Scott (@TomScott1)

#putoutyourbats is a lovely idea. Social media at its best. - Kyle Andrews (@KyleHAndrews)

The #PutOutYourBats tribute to Hughes is absolutely wonderful. So simple yet so powerful.

Follow the tributes on Twitter here.

Post By http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/nov/27/fans-pay-tribute-to-phillip-hughes-with-online-campaign