Cricket Australia confirms 25-year-old Phillip Hughes has died in hospital after suffering an injury during a match on Tuesday.
Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes has died after suffering a severe head injury during a Sydney cricket match.
The 25-year-old was hit on the head during New South Wales’ first-class match against South Australia on Tuesday.
An emotional Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke read a statement from the family at a news conference on Thursday.
He said: “We’re devastated by the loss of our much-loved son and brother Philip.
“It’s been a very difficult few days, we appreciate all the support we have received from family, friends, players, Cricket Australia and the general public.
“Cricket was Philip’s life, and we as a family shared that love of the game with him.”
Philip Hughes had scored 63 runs when he was hit by a ball from bowler Sean Abbott. He was wearing a helmet at the time.
New South Wales players and the umpires quickly rushed to his side and called for help.
Tony Grabs, a surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, said Philip Hughes suffered “catastrophic head injuries”.
He said surgeons removed part of the batsman’s skull to relieve pressure on his brain, but he did not improve and died from a cerebral haemorrhage.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said: “The word tragedy gets used too often in sport, but this freak accident is real life tragedy.
“Just days short of his 26th birthday, Phillip has been taken away from us too soon. He will forever be remembered as one of the elite few to have worn the baggy green cap, cap number 408.”
Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said the cricketer suffered a compressed vertebral artery after he was hit by the ball and had to be resuscitated at the ground.
He said: “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.”
“His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heart-breaking day for his family,” Mr Abbott said in a statement.
“What happened has touched millions of Australians. For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration.”
A statement from the England cricket team said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to Phil Hughes’ family, friends and teammates at this incredibly sad time.
He played 26 Test matches, 25 one-day internationals and one T20 international.
