'You will stand with me every time I walk out onto that ground': Michael Clarke's emotional messages on his tragic best mate's 26th birthday

• Cricketer Phillip Hughes would have turned 26 today
• Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke counted down last night on Twitter
• Hughes' best mate was asking others to join him in paying tribute
• Clarke flooded his Instagram with photos of the fun times they shared

By Leesa Smith for Daily Mail Australia Follow @@LeesaSmithAU

Published: 17:32 EST, 29 November 2014 | Updated: 01:09 EST, 30 November 2014

Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke has poured his heart out on social media to pay respect to his best mate Phillip Hughes who sadly would have turned 26 today.

Clarke was sitting up with a drink in hand on Saturday night ready to raise his glass to Hughes when the clock struck midnight.

So close that they called each other brothers, Clarke was counting down on Twitter asking others to join him in paying tribute to the much-loved cricketer.

Scroll down for video

Brothers for life: Michael Clarke and Phillip Hughes on a lads night out

Clarke asked everyone to join him in the coundown to Hughes' birthday

Clarke was closely watching the clock until it struck midnight

Clarke's words prove that the death of Hughes is the biggest tragedy he has ever had to endure

Too grief stricken to finish reading out a tribute at a press conference yesterday, Clarke summed up how distraught he was on Instagram on Sunday morning by saying: 'What I would give for just one more day.'

The photos illustrate the irreplaceable bond that the two cricketers had as Clarke flooded his Instagram account with the fun times they shared both on and off the field.

One photo of the two cricketers on the field has the words: 'You will stand with me every time I walk out onto that ground.'

Meagan Simpson describes Hughrs as her best friend in her Instagram post

Hughes inspired people across the country that he did not even know

The boys on a trivia night out - Clarke joked that they were the 'kings of trivia'

Clarke refers to Hughes being the 408th Australian to play test cricket

People around the country continue to put out cricket bats on what would have been his 26th birthday

'Brothers for life' is the comment Clarke posted next to a selfie of the two lads on a night out where he jokingly described them as the 'KINGS of Trivia Night'.

He also posted a photo of the two of them with other team mates alongside the words: 'Brothers in arms.'

One of many of Clarke's tweets said 'Happy birthday 408. Life will never be the same' - referring to Hughes being the 408th Australian to play test cricket.

Clarke will never forget his best mate especially when he plays cricket

Brothers in arms: their bond was irreplaceable both on and off the field

Clarke sums how distraught he is about losing his 'little brother'

Good mate Rabbitohs player Greg Inglis posts a heartbreaking birthday message to Hughes

Many of the extended cricket family posted their own heartfelt words on social media throughout the day including former Australian cricketers Darren Lehmann and Craig McDermott - who commented on Hughes' 'cheeky smile'.

Team mate Nathan Lyon tweeted saying how much the team missed the much-loved cricketer.

Good mate Rabbitohs player Greg Inglis posted a heartbreaking birthday message to Hughes saying: 'Makes it even harder today. Happy birthday champion.'

Seven news presenter Melissa Doyle sends her condolences on Twitter to Hughes' family on Sunday

'You are all teeth bro.... Hahahahaha' Clarke jokingly posted on Instagram

Clarke made reference to Hughes' cheeky smile in two posts saying: 'You are all teeeth bro' and another simply saying: 'What a smile.'

He also showed his deep admiration for Hughes saying: 'This boy could do everything!'

Former Australian cricketer Craig McDermott also comments on Hughes' 'cheeky smile'

On the eve of Hughes' birthday, a night vigil was held in his hometown of Macksville in NSW.

The locals came together for a minute's silence for Hughes at 8.15pm on Saturday followed by a lone bagpiper playing Amazing Grace.

Hughes' life support was turned off on Thursday, two days after he was struck in the head with a ball during a match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Clarke was too grief stricken to finish reading out a tribute at a press conference yesterday

Former Australian cricketer Darren Lehmann sends his love to Hughes

On the eve of Hughes' birthday, a night vigil was held in his hometown of Macksville in NSW on Saturday

Team mate Nathan Lyon is one of the many birthday wishes tweeted on Hughes birthday