Australia Test batsman Phillip Hughes has died aged 25, two days after
being struck on the top of the neck by a ball during a domestic match
in Sydney.
Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said he passed away in hospital, never regaining consciousness.
Hughes, who also played for Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire, was hit by a delivery from bowler Sean Abbott.
"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."
Australia captain Michael Clarke
read out a statement on behalf of the Hughes family
at a news conference held at St Vincent's Hospital, where the player, who would have been 26 on Sunday, was treated.
Speaking on behalf of parents Greg and Virginia, sister
Megan and brother Jason, he said: "We're devastated by the loss of our
much-loved son and brother, Phillip. It's been a very difficult few
days.
Australia and the general public.
"Cricket was Phillip's life and we as a family shared
that love of the game with him. We would like to thank all the medical
and nursing staff at St Vincent's Hospital and Cricket New South Wales
medical staff for their great efforts with Phillip. We love you."
A clearly emotional Clarke then stood up and left the room.
Hughes, batting for South Australia, collapsed face
first on the ground after being hit by a bouncer from 22-year-old Abbott
during a Sheffield Shield game against New South Wales.
Hughes had been wearing a helmet but the ball struck him at the top of the neck, causing the injury.
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.
Abbott and members of the Australian national team, including Clarke, visited Hughes in hospital.
