Tributes pour in after 'unthinkable' death

A bouquet left in memory of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes is pictured at the gates of the...
A bouquet left in memory of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes is pictured at the gates of the Sydney Cricket Ground. Photo by Reuters.
The Black Caps are "struggling" since hearing the news of the death of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes' death.

Hughes, 25, was struck by a bouncer during a domestic first-class match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

While he underwent emergency surgery at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney to reduce pressure on his brain, the left-hander remained in an induced coma in the intensive care unit.

Australian team doctor Peter Brukner announced yesterday afternoon Hughes had died, surrounded by family and close friends.

Play on the second day of the third cricket test between New Zealand and Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates was abandoned.

Heath Mills, chief executive of New Zealand Cricket Players Association said the players were "hurting".

"They're struggling... our players have played against [Hughes] or in teams with him... for about seven or eight years," he told 3News today.

"He's a well-known colleague of a number of our players and they're hurting."

He said the players were thinking "It could have been anyone of us".

Safety standards would be discussed by the association in coming weeks, Mr Mills said.

"Our whole entire focus has been on getting through what's happened this week. we haven't really turned our minds yet to safety standards... that needs to come in time but we need to focus on our people."

Counselling has been provided to the players.

Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke, a close friend of Hughes, was at St Vincent's when he died.

Clarke read a brief statement on behalf of Hughes' parents, brother and sister following his death.

"We're devastated by the loss of our much-loved son and brother Phillip. Cricket was Phillip's life, and we as a family shared that love of the game with him ... We love you," Clarke said while holding back tears.

Many other former and current Australian players visited Hughes during his final two days.

Hughes, who would have been 26 on Sunday, was at the crease for South Australia when he attempted to hook a short-pitched ball from New South Wales fast bowler Sean Abbott.

Although he was wearing a helmet, the ball struck an unprotected area at the back of his head. He stumbled, leaned over and then collapsed after the hit.

International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson said his death had been devastating for the cricketing community.

"He was a naturally gifted player who entertained many with his attacking approach to the game.

"All those who play, have played or are in any way connected to the game are devastated by the news," he said.

In Sharjah, Hughes' photo adorned the scoreboard and there was a sense of disbelief that a test cricketer could die in such a fashion.

No players emerged from the dressing rooms during an initial delay of an hour while officials discussed the appropriate response.

Soon afterwards the rawness of the news meant treating the day as a rest day was the only appropriate course of action.

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said the team was devastated.

"It's an unthinkable loss and I can tell you it's an incredibly sombre dressing room."

New Zealand players expressed their condolences on Twitter.

Ross Taylor wrote: "RIP Phil Hughes. Gone too soon. Thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Shocked".

Jimmy Neesham wrote: "I've never before felt so keenly the loss of someone I'd never met. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP Phil Hughes."

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said: "Cricket is a family. Quite apart from its super-competitive edge, it is a game of kinship, mateship and friendship; of camaraderie and community."

Hughes is the second player in two years to sustain a fatal blow.

Darryn Randall, 32, was killed after being struck on the side of the head during a Border Cricket Board Premier League match in the Eastern Cape last year.

In 1998, former India test player Raman Lamba died after being hit on the head while fielding during a domestic match in Bangladesh.

Abdul Aziz died after he was hit over the heart in a 1959 Pakistan first-class match.

 

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