Death is hard for people to deal with at the best of times.   University types say most people react with denial, then progress through 5 stages of a grief process that leads to acceptance.

In the death of the late Phillip Hughes, I'll be stuck on denial and disbelief for a very, very long time.

Every death of a young person is a tragedy.   But in Phillip's case that tragedy is compounded by the random and unforseeable way his life was accidentally ended playing our national sport.

Like most blokes of my vintage born in Australia, I love cricket.  I played cricket as a kid and now Hughie my 8 year old plays every weekend.   Cricket is central to our national character and in my mind it's always been a wholly good thing.

We all have a stake in the game of cricket and its tremendous influence in shaping our shared values and national character.   Phillip's death reminds us it takes courage and skill to play the game at the highest levels.   Cricket's not easy, it can be dangerous but that's part of its intrigue.  While nothing can bring Phillip back, we should all take some comfort from the fact that he lost his life doing something worthwhile - playing cricket.

Cricket is more than a game, it's a repository of customs, etiquette, standards of behaviour, teamwork, competitiveness and a striving for excellence that's shaped our men for generations.   When boys grow into men playing the great game they are inculcated in the ways of cricketers, it's part of being in the team.   Cricket has been a driving force in maintaining so many of the positive character traits Australians treasure, handed down from coach, captain and elder players to the next generation of youngsters.

Phillip died playing a game we all own, a game we value as a national asset. I think that's why the public outpouring of grief has been so prominent.  Perhaps as we reflect on the life and character of a great young man, we might pause to think as well about the great game itself and the way it helps make us who we are.

Every parent will be feeling apprehensive about tomorrow's Saturday-morning-taxi-shuttle to the sports grounds.   I'll be telling my son that it takes courage and character to walk out and face a fast bowler on a quick wicket.    That's part of cricket.  It's also why young boys get the message about safety gear drummed into them - pads, gloves, box, helmet for the older players and protection from the sun too.

Phillip Hughes's death is a reminder about that serious side of sport.   Next time you feel the need to yell at the TV you might remember it's hard and often dangerous work for the blokes on the field.  We get so much from sport, cricket in particular, and (beyond their pay) those who actually play it at the highest standards are often a bit taken for granted.

Cricket Australia has a marvellous webpage where you can leave your reminiscences about Phillip - it's here.   They've put together some video and other snippets from the short life of a great bloke and it's well worth a visit.  There's video of Australian test captain Michael Clarke reading a statement from the Hughes's family here.

Thank you Phillip Hughes for being the sort of bloke you were.  The sort of bloke I'd hope my boys might become - a great Australian.

Here's Muso of WA with his tribute.