As ever, in the face of terrible tragedies, the questions overwhelm: Why ...  how ...  why ...   why ...  WHY? And as ever, the answers don't remotely satisfy. How can a healthy young man, engaged in the passion of his life, among the world's best at his craft, while wearing protective equipment ...  still be mortally felled by what seemed a relatively innocuous ball?

It defies explanation, for there are no answers worthy of the name. As I wrote on Thursday morning, it seems more a matter of mathematics than mayhem. That is, if players engage in an activity where there is a one-in-10 million chance of mortal injury ...  10 million times ...  then it stands to reason that every few decades someone will be the victim of colossal catastrophe through the fault of no one.

I further noted that while optimism is in the very nature of sport – the ingrained belief that out of every loss some good must come –  in the case of Phillip Hughes this is proved wrong, as from such a thing as this there is only tragedy from which there is no comeback. But maybe I was wrong.

Right now, amid the devastation, there is strong discussion among the Australian cricket community about whether next week's Test against India should go ahead. Would it be disrespectful to play it? Would the players even be capable of concentrating on a mere game in the face of losing such a cherished team-mate in such circumstances? The last part is for them to decide.

But I believe the Test match should go ahead, with one caveat. That is that the proceeds go to Australian charities that devote themselves to brain injuries – their prevention, their cure and learning how best to live with them. Phillip Hughes' legacy in cricket is secure. He will be long remembered for his achievements – including being the youngest Australian cricketer to hit a Test century in each innings – his engaging and self-effacing personality, his style. But what a wonderful thing if out of this tragedy came something else for others who have been afflicted by all but equal misfortune, but who have lived?

How strong if people that Hughes never met could benefit by money raised in his honour, by an Australian population that turns out in force to support the match, honour his memory and achieve one enduring positive amid the blackness.

Cricket Australia should set up a fund into which the money could go, together with donations from the Australian cricket community. And then have a panel, including members of Phillip Hughes' family, to decide which brain injury charities might most benefit from it.

It would be something.

Vale, Phillip Hughes.

Twitter @Peter_Fitz