Reuters
SYDNEY, November 27
Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died in hospital on Thursday, two days after the batsman was struck on the head by a bouncer during a domestic match. Governing body Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed the 25-year-old had lost his fight for life.
"We are extremely sad to announce that Phillip Hughes has passed away at the age of 25," Cricket Australia said on its Twitter feed.
"Our thoughts go out to Phillip's family, friends, and the entire cricket community on this incredibly sad day."
There were no further details.
Hughes had spent a second night in a Sydney hospital in an induced coma after having emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.
The batsman was struck on the head by a ball at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a devastating blow experts compared to the trauma suffered by victims of a car crash.
News of Hughes death followed calls by former players for the Australian team to abandon the first Test match against India next week.
Questions about the response time of ambulances dispatched to the stadium were also raised.
The head of New South Wales Ambulance was to be hauled before the state health minister Jillian Skinner on Thursday after the ambulance authority issued conflicting statements about their response times.
The arrival of the first ambulance took 15 minutes, NSW Ambulance clarified in a statement on Wednesday.
The state's median response time for the highest priority "life-threatening cases" was just under eight minutes in 2013-14, according the authority's statistics.
"Due to the conflicting information distributed today by NSW Ambulance regarding (Tuesday's) response to the Sydney Cricket Ground, I will be meeting with NSW Ambulance Commissioner Ray Creen tomorrow to discuss the circumstances surrounding the incident," Skinner said.
Dr Peter Larkins, a leading sports physician, said: "Time is of the essence when your brain has suffered trauma."
Family and players had maintained their vigil at Hughes' bedside.
CRICKET REACTS TO THE DEATH OF HUGHES
International Cricket Council : ICC chairman Narayanaswami Srinivasin said: 'We are all shocked and saddened with the news of Phillip's passing. On behalf of the entire cricket community, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
ICC chief executive Dave Richardson added: '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.
'Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy at this difficult time.'
Federation of International Cricketers' Associations: FICA executive chairman Tony Irish said: 'I have been in contact with a number of players and players' associations around the world who have all expressed shock and sadness over Phil's death.
'Phil was a popular and respected cricketer not only in Australia and amongst Australian players but also amongst other players around the world. I speak on behalf of the world's professional cricketers in saying what a tragic loss this is of a young man who would have had many years of international cricket ahead of him.'
'We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Phil's family, especially his mother, Virginia, his father, Greg, and his sister and brother, Megan and Jason.'
