Following the shock death of Phillip Hughes, cricket fans and admirers in Australia and around the world have reacted with a simple and moving social media tribute, #putoutyourbats.

Professional players, armchair commentators and backyard heroes are placing their cricket bats of all sizes and vintage at the front doors of their homes, gates of their schools, fronts of their work places and at their desks on Friday as a poignant mark of respect for the fallen batsman.

Photos of the bats are being posted on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #putoutyourbats in an extraordinary outpouring of communal grief.

Phil Hughes tragically died on Thursday after being struck in the neck during a match at the SCG on Tuesday.

Some of the best #putoutyourbats photos

Pretty special. Macksville Public School. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/ifKZ24yZZx — ReadingThePlay (@ReadingThePlay) November 27, 2014

A single cricket bat at the entrance to the SCG. The writing on the bat says “63no Forever”. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/KBh24oBfEn — Chris Urquhart (@chrisurquhart) November 27, 2014

My 1989 Ashes bat.. Norman on security watch #RIPHughesy #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/8aTDRuVDyx — Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) November 27, 2014

One of my little fellas helps with #putoutyourbats . “Can he whack some balls in heaven Dad?” You bet. pic.twitter.com/YjGI9dDxMB — Eivion Bowen (@EivBowen) November 28, 2014

From the Gilly kids xxx #PutOutYourBats #RIPPhillipHughes pic.twitter.com/aeheTLw5dI — Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 27, 2014

It’s been a good 10 years since this willow’s done anything remotely useful. Welcome back. #putoutyourbats #63notout pic.twitter.com/UEkqj0oXys — pete mcdonald (@petemac9) November 27, 2014

North Rockhampton Police Stn honour the life & memory of #PhilHughes. Thoughts also with #SeanAbbott #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/KnBvGrHmPF — QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) November 28, 2014

No front porch here at @mX, but a little improvisation, just like Phillip showed us at the crease. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/b6FpYMNJCw — Lauren Wood (@LaurenA_Wood) November 28, 2014

#PutOutYourBats is an incredibly moving hashtag. A wonderful mark of respect for Phillip Hughes. pic.twitter.com/sAnsKODyIN — Twitter Sports AU (@TwitterSportsAU) November 27, 2014

Out of respect, honour and remembrance. You will never be forgotten. Rip you little champ. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/buoXbKKhaC — connor dixon (@dixon1_c) November 28, 2014

A small personal tribute. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/zBy11wfctv RIP Phillip Hughes 63 not out #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/dF9yNVx8fD — SEN 1116 (@SENNews) November 28, 2014 — Smokie Dawson (@smokiedawson) November 28, 2014

#putoutyourbats Remembering Hughesy. Thinking of his family and all my fellow cricketers with love. pic.twitter.com/OvgaRnChr0 — Ryan Carters (@Ryan_Carters) November 28, 2014

Honouring Phillip Hughes. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/nRxkkFCnTl — Qantas (@Qantas) November 28, 2014

Our game will never be the same. RIP Philip Hughes. #putoutyourbats #408 pic.twitter.com/5nibAAmu8o — Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) November 28, 2014

Sometimes there are no words. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/Opetg5fE9X — FOX SPORTS Australia (@FOXSportsAUS) November 28, 2014

@googledownunder A nice touch? #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/ZFO6itNuza — Ryan Broad (@ryanbroad) November 28, 2014

#PutOutYourBats Amazing seeing this happen around Australia and the world. #RIPPhillipHughes https://t.co/UBjs9oGMVO pic.twitter.com/u9OrTfDO1g — 702 ABC Sydney (@702sydney) November 27, 2014

Rest in peace #PhillipHughes #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/OA3xFpYSvQ — TEN Eyewitness News (@channeltennews) November 27, 2014

@CricketAus in memory of Phillip Hughes #63notout #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/j5Bio8IdXf — Maxine Hunter (@maxtiges) November 27, 2014

RIP Phillip Hughes, 63 not out forever. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/06jHugy3l5 — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 27, 2014

From the team at #WinNews #putyourbatsout #putoutyourbats @WINNews_Bal #PhilHughes pic.twitter.com/8mpfGDyMMC — Britt Ditterich (@BrittDitterich) November 28, 2014

It’s been a while @CricketAus but no better time then now to #putoutyourbats for #PhillipHughes408 #63notout pic.twitter.com/7NflkA6w0F — Stew Moses (@TheRiffMarn) November 27, 2014

In tribute to Phillip Hughes, my boys & many others are doing this. #putoutyourbats #RIPPhillipHughes pic.twitter.com/aZZaf1X4dw — PETER HELLIAR (@pjhelliar) November 27, 2014

1 for each bedroom. I’ll tell my children about Philip Hughes when they’re old enough to understand #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/lkIMH7Muk7 — James Hubbard (@JamesHubbard113) November 27, 2014

Such a genuine, polite and respectful young guy. #putoutyourbats #408 pic.twitter.com/yOOwziZBlH — Shannon Gill (@ShannonGill13) November 28, 2014

Our tribute to Phillip Hughes. Taken too soon. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/CVGuhQNHXg — FlemingtonRacecourse (@FlemingtonVRC) November 28, 2014

My Pa (RIP) loved watching Phillip Hughes bat. Here’s his bat in the morning sun. #putoutyourbats #putyourbatsout pic.twitter.com/hiyF4A1pRb — Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) November 27, 2014

A nice way of everyday people sending their love to Phillip Hughes #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/dD9ko9hVkL — BenFordham (@BenFordham) November 27, 2014

In memory of #PhillipHughes #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/e5UlCjShjR — Margaret Jolly (@MJollyConsult) November 27, 2014

#putoutyourbats taken too soon and too young. #PhillipHughs pic.twitter.com/QhkwNKuMDz — Willunga 100 Wines (@willunga100) November 27, 2014

@CricketAus @TheTodayShow the sadness continues this morning across the country and the world. #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/kmtNtGTtkw — Tim Nisbet (@nisbo80) November 27, 2014

63 not out and young forever. RIP #PhillipHughes #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/jYZWY72TOe — Craig Grenfell (@CraigGrenfell12) November 27, 2014

#putoutyourbats – deepest thoughts go out to #PhilHughes, his family and the cricket community. pic.twitter.com/gF3gUVa46C — Dave Drury (@Dave_Drury) November 27, 2014

Cricket’s usually a battle between nations, but everyone is united for you #putoutyourbats Australia #RIPPhilHughes pic.twitter.com/2IW7SZp8ui — Katherine (@gleek) November 27, 2014

@CricketAus @WWOS9 An act of respect to a courageous young man taken to soon R.I.P Hughesy #Putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/CEuLml23wa — Daniel friend (@27Frendy) November 27, 2014

#putoutyourbats for #PhillipHughes. We salute you, mate, and will miss you enormously #63notout pic.twitter.com/BYJXo4MWsT — SBS – The World Game (@TheWorldGame) November 28, 2014

The “unmarked” one was used to face Brett Lee in Bodyline. The hat – a gift. Of course. #putoutyourbats #RIPHughesy pic.twitter.com/jzLEvg4ayo — Adam Zwar (@adamzwar) November 28, 2014

In memory of watching the little champ for the @WestEndRedbacks and @CricketAus #putoutyourbats pic.twitter.com/TXkOMmwIjG — Evan Arnold (@evyarn) November 28, 2014