Cricket Illawarra increased the junior game batting retirement scores from 50 to 63 to reflect the score Hughes reached in Tuesday’s Sheffield Shield match before he was hit by the bouncer that ended his life.

The mood was sombre at first at North Dalton Park, where players from Wollongong Maroon and Thirroul White’s under-12 sides donned black arm bands before they took the pitch. 

But the game was also a chance for the boys to discuss the tragedy and come to terms with it, said cricket mum Joanne Treffone, who watched from the sidelines. ‘‘I think the kids are trying to understand it,’’ she said. 

‘‘They’ve talked about taking on the spirit of Phil Hughes today - it was so touching.’’

Thirroul coach Pat Nolan said Hughes’ rapport with children and his unassuming country background contributed to the special place he held in the junior cricket fraternity.

‘‘I think it’s important that [the juniors] played today. Obviously they’re aware of what’s been going on. If we’d had a break this week it might have affected them even more.’’

Tributes across the region came in the form of decorated bats, helmets and pitches, which were marked with the number 408 - Hughes’ baggy green cap number.

Thirroul under-12s player Noah Biddulph said he and his teammates had had talked about their disappointment at the loss of Hughes, and about his batting prowess and great potential.

‘‘We’re sad, but sort of happy that we are going to do good for him today,’’ he said. 

‘‘He was an inspiration to us.’’