In pics: Clarke takes to Instagram to wish Hughes 'Happy Birthday'

Australian captain Michael Clarke took to Twitter and Instagram to express his heartfelt wishes for his 'little brother' Phillip Hughes, who would have celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday.

Australian captain Michael Clarke took to Twitter and Instagram to express his heartfelt wishes for his 'little brother' Phillip Hughes, who would have celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday.

"In 2 hours and 6 min it will be my Brothers 26th BDay. Please get yourself a drink and raise your glass!" Clarke tweeted on Saturday evening.

Clarke then went on to post a series of pictures on Instagram of moments that they had shared together, both on and off the field.

The photos ranged from Hughes donning the wicketkeeper's gloves, to Clarke and Hughes attending parties and Trivia nights together.

Clarke also wrote a moving birthday tribute in his column in The Daily Telegraph.

Clarke said he "struggled to comprehend how this tragedy could happen to one of life's true characters and gentlemen".

"His cricketing achievements -- of which there were many -- really play second fiddle to the human qualities that he exhibited," Clarke wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.

"Loyal to a fault, eternally optimistic, kind-hearted, wicked sense of humour, a child-like verve for life... I really could go on and on."