Phillip Hughes in critical condition following surgery after being knocked out by bouncer in Sheffield Shield match

Updated

Phillip Hughes has undergone surgery and is in a critical condition after being knocked out by a bouncer while batting for South Australia in a Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales at the SCG.

Phillip Hughes fact file: Age: 25 Position: Left-handed opener Born: Macksville, NSW Test debut: Aus v SA, Johannesburg, Feb 2009 Tests: 26 Test runs: 1535 Test average: 32.65 Sheffield Shield: NSW, South Australia Shield debut: NSW v Tasmania, SCG, Nov 2007 2014 Shield average: 34.00

Hughes was in an induced coma at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital after surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

Australian team doctor Peter Brukner confirmed Hughes was in intensive care and said unless something changed, there would be no further updates until Wednesday.

"Phillip is in the best possible medical hands," Brukner told reporters.

"The Cricket Australia community and his team-mates are thinking of his family and his friends at this moment.

"His family have asked me to request privacy in this difficult time."

Hughes had made 63 out of a Redbacks total of 2 for 136 when he was hit in the head after misjudging a ball from Sean Abbott.

The 25-year-old was wearing a helmet but the ball hit him under the back of it. He bent over before collapsing on to the ground and was taken off the field on a stretcher.

Cricket Australia chief medical officer Dr John Orchard performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the scene and travelled with Hughes to St Vincent's where he arrived in critical condition.

A medical helicopter landed at the SCG to allow expert medical staff to assist Hughes.

His mother and sister were at the ground and travelled to the hospital to be with him and he went into surgery after scans to determine the extent of his injury.

South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) high-performance manager Tim Nielsen accompanied them to the hospital and spoke on behalf of the family.

"The outcome of that surgery is unlikely to be known in the next 24 to 48 hours," said Nielsen, who previously coached Hughes in the Australian Test side.

#ThoughtsWithHughesy Messages of support for Phillip Hughes from the international cricket community have been posted on social media. Messages of support for Phillip Hughes from the international cricket community have been posted on social media. View the Tweets of support

"In the meantime, we would really appreciate if you look after his family and friends and respect their privacy please."

Both SACA and Cricket Australia (CA) extended their "thoughts and prayers" to Hughes and his family.

CA chief executive James Sutherland said the news "sent shudders" through him when he heard about the incident.

"It makes a lot of things flash through your mind," he said.

"The most important thing right now is about Phil and his health and safety - and our thoughts and prayers are with him and with his family and friends."

He is fiercely determined and extremely proud of his achievements ... with the respect of all his team-mates. James Sutherland

"We're also naturally concerned about all of those involved in today's game and will be giving them our utmost support," he said in a statement earlier in the day.

Sutherland said Hughes was a very popular player and person.

"He is fiercely determined and extremely proud of his achievements ... with the respect of all his team-mates," Sutherland said.

"I just had messages from the New Zealand players [playing Test cricket] in the UAE sending concerns and best wishes to him."

The match was abandoned following the incident and distraught players have been offered counselling.

Everyone was in shock: Copeland

Blues bowler Trent Copeland, who was at the ground but not taking part in the match, said it was a frightening moment.

"Immediately you could tell that something was wrong, the players around him were freaking out," Copeland said.

"From what you could sort of see from the sidelines, [it was] not nice, and it seems like he's been rushed off to hospital and having a bit of trouble breathing.

"Everyone was in shock, rightly so, I can only imagine what the South Australian team-mates are feeling like as well.

"I really feel for Sean, he's done nothing wrong, he's just bowling his heart out for New South Wales, he's certainly not intending to hurt them."

NSW assistant coach Geoff Lawson said the incident was the most confronting thing he had seen on a cricket field.

I really feel for Sean (Abbott), he's done nothing wrong ... he's certainly not intending to hurt them. Trent Copeland

"I've seen players get broken noses and cheekbones and suffered a broken jaw myself and I've seen a lot of blood and I've seen some people get a concussion," he said.

"But I've never seen in all my days in the game a consequence like this where somebody's life may be in jeopardy."

Hughes was one of a number of batsmen in line for a possible Test recall following reports that Australian captain Michael Clarke had been ruled out of the first Test against India at the Gabba.

Clarke, a close friend of Hughes, arrived at St Vincent's shortly after the incident.

Hughes has played 26 Test matches for three centuries, but has not played Test cricket since Australia played England at Lord's in July 2013.

Topics: sport, cricket, sydney-2000, nsw, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

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