Thousands pay tribute to Hookesy

David Hookes's bat and cap rest on the stumps during his funeral service © Getty Images

Ricky Ponting and his team were among around 15,000 mourners who gathered to pay their respects at the funeral of David Hookes at the Adelaide Oval. Hookes, 48, died last week following an assault outside a Melbourne hotel.

Ian Chappell, a close friend and former captain of Hookes's, delivered a moving eulogy, remembering his debut in the Centenary Test of 1977. "I think that innings is so typical of David, not only of his cricket career, but his life," Chappell said. "When everybody else was struggling with the occasion, Hookesy came along and put it all into perspective. I can just imagine him saying, 'Well mate, it's just another game of cricket, a half-volley is a half-volley, you've got to whack it'.

"We will think of David always as someone who put entertainment ahead of personal achievement and he was a great reminder to us all, that after all, it is just a game."

Three stumps were placed at one end of the Adelaide Oval pitch where Hookes scored 20 of his 29 first-class centuries. A bat was left resting against them, as he had always done that during breaks in play. His red South Australia team cap was draped over the top of one of the stumps.

"Nothing can justify this senseless waste of life," Reverend Steven Ogden, the Dean of St Peter's Cathedral, told the gathering. "David did not deserve this and it offends all we hold dear and true, and we feel cheated. There is no third umpire in the sky who we can turn to - we have to accept responsibility for our own actions and decisions. And because of that, we are outraged by what has happened to David. In the name and memory of David, we refuse to submit to the despair and violence of this world."

© Getty Images

Hookes' brother, Terry Cranage, said: "It has been so difficult over the past week to absorb ... the tragedy of this insane incident. David my brother, David my mate, my hero - rest in peace as we that are left behind ask why."

Darren Lehmann, South Australia's captain, placed one of Hookes's old bats on the coffin before the crowd gave one final standing ovation.

Russell Crowe and boxing world champion Anthony Mundine mingled among what was almost a who's who of Australian cricket. Ian and Greg Chappell, Allan Border, Richie Benaud, Mark Taylor and Kim Hughes joined the current Australian, South Australian and Victoria teams. Martin Crowe, Tony Greig and Clive Lloyd were also in attendance.

The service was broadcast on national television.