Australian cricketer Phil Hughes dies after being hit by cricket ball
Australian cricketer Phil Hughes has died in hospital on Thursday after being struck by a cricket ball at the Sydney Football Ground on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old South Australian batsman was playing in a Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales when a bouncer, a cricket term for a ball that bounces up from the pitch to head or chest level, hit his head behind his left ear. Hughes looked down for a few minutes before collapsing on his face.
The ball was bowled by Sean Abbott who has received counselling and has the Australian cricket community rallying behind him.
Phil Hughes of the SA Redbacks bats during day four of the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at Adelaide Oval on November 11.
Image: Morne DeKlerk /Getty Images
Hughes was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in an ambulance where he was placed in an induced coma and underwent neurosurgery. Australian Team Doctor Peter Brukner announced the news of Hughes’ death in a statement on Thursday afternoon.
“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,” Brukner wrote. “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.”
We are extremely sad to announce that Phillip Hughes has passed away at the age of 25 pic.twitter.com/RjIWcqlT2v
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 27, 2014
The deadly incident is incredibly rare in cricket and has been described as a freak accident by other cricketers, who are expressing their grief on Twitter. As the summer cricket season is ramping up, the death of Hughes will rock Australia’s national game to its core.
Phil Hughes.
Image: Getty Images
Such terrible news with the passing of Phil Hughes. Our deepest sympathies to his family.
— Glenn McGrath (@glennmcgrath11) November 27, 2014
No no no no no. RIP Phillip Hughes
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 27, 2014
Today we have lost our mate Hughesy. Our deepest condolences to all his family and friends. He will be with us always.
— West End Redbacks (@WestEndRedbacks) November 27, 2014
RIP you little champ, we are all going to miss you ! Love, prayers to all the Hughes family xxxx
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) November 27, 2014
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