1988, November 30 -- Born in Macksville, New South Wales. Hughes grew up on the family's banana farm, developed into a left-handed batsman and moved to Sydney at 16 to further his cricketing ambitions.

2007, November -- Makes first-class debut for New South Wales against Tasmania in Sydney a few days before his 19th birthday, scoring 51 off 199 balls as NSW win by an innings.

2009, February -- Makes Test debut for Australia against South Africa in Johannesburg. Lasts just four balls in his first knock against the pace of Dale Steyn, but bounces back with 75 in the second as Australia win.

2009, March -- Scores a century in both innings (115 and 160) in the second Test in Durban -- at 20, the youngest player to achieve the feat, breaking George Headley's 79-year-old record.

2010 -- Reduced to back-up Test opener after a torrid 2009 Ashes series in England, gets a rare chance against New Zealand in Wellington and hammers 86 off just 75 balls to see Australia across the winning line.

2011 -- Regains his place for the three-match series in Sri Lanka and in the final Test scores 126, his third century at the highest level, as Australia bat out a draw against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

2013, January -- Makes ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Melbourne and scores a fine 112.

2014, October -- Plays his only T20 International against Pakistan in Dubai, scoring six runs as Australia win.

2014, November 27 -- Three days before his 26th birthday, dies from injuries sustained when he was hit by a short-pitched delivery on the base of his skull at a domestic match in Sydney.