27 November 2014:Â Australia Test batsman Phil Hughes, 25, has died in hospital, two days after being hit on the head by a delivery during a domestic match in Sydney.
Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said he never regained consciousness.
Hughes, who also played for Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire, was struck by a short-pitched ball from Sean Abbott that missed his helmet.
“It’s an understatement to say we’re completely devastated,” said Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland.
“The word tragedy gets used too often in sport, but this freak accident is a real life tragedy.”
Hughes, batting for South Australia, collapsed face first on the ground after being hit by a bouncer from Abbott during a Sheffield Shield game against New South Wales.
He had CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at the ground before being taken to St Vincent’s Hospital, where he had a 90-minute operation to relieve pressure on his brain.
In a statement, Brukner said: “It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away.
“He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday.
“He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends.
“As a cricket community, we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.
“Cricket Australia kindly asks that the privacy of the Hughes family, players and staff be respected.”
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott paid tribute to the player, describing Hughes as “a young man living out his dreams”.
“His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family. What happened has touched millions of Australians,” he said.
“For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration. He was loved, admired and respected by his team-mates and by legions of cricket fans.”
Australia coach Darren Lehmann led the early tributes, tweeting: “RIP you little champ, we are all going to miss you! Love, prayers to all the Hughes family.”
Phil Hughes’s career |
|
|---|---|
| Tests | 26 |
| Innings | 49 |
| Runs | 1,535 |
| Highest score | 160 |
| Average | 32.65 |
The England team also released a statement on Twitter, writing: “Our deepest sympathies go out to Phil Hughes’ family, friends and teammates at this incredibly sad time.
“Phil was admired and respected by all he played with and against and will never be forgotten by the cricket community.”
Members of the Australia team, including captain Michael Clarke, visited Hughes in hospital, comforting the player’s mother and sister.
Hughes, who had played 26 Tests, made his Test debut at the age of 20 against South Africa in 2009.
In only his second match, he became the youngest batsman to post two centuries in a single Test.
He played county cricket for Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire and shared in what was at the time a world record 10th-wicket partnership of 163 with Ashton Agar against England in the 2013 Ashes series.
Source BBC News
