CRICKET Australia has announced that opener Phillip Hughes has passed away just days short of his 26th birthday.

Hughes had been breathing only with the assistance of medical technology and his condition was “much more serious than anyone had imagined”, according to broadcaster Alan Jones, who was brought to tears this morning while discussing Hughes’ situation on 2GB .

We are extremely sad to announce that Phillip Hughes has passed away at the age of 25 pic.twitter.com/RjIWcqlT2v — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) November 27, 2014

Jones was later dropped off at St Vincent’s Hospital but entered via the private hospital’s entrance about midday and may have been going into the hospital as one of the many well-wishers.

A who’s who of Australian cricket had gathered at St Vincent’s Hospital to stand vigil as Hughes fought for life after being struck by a ball during South Australia’s Sheffield Shield match with NSW at the SCG on Tuesday.

Former Test skippers Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh, boxer Anthony Mundine, former Australian spinner Gavin Robertson and Test fast bowlers Peter Siddle and James Pattinson were among those to arrive at St Vincent’s Hospital.

media_camera Brad Haddin and Aaron Finch embrace at the entrance to St Vincent's Hospital. Picture: Getty Images

media_camera Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting arrives. Picture: James Croucher

media_camera Phillip Hughes. Picture: Getty Images

Tom Cooper, who was batting with Phil Hughes at the time of the injury, was deep in conversation with teammates Adam Zampa and Redbacks skipper Johan Botha as well as David Warner outside the hospital.

Earlier Australian coach Darren Lehmann and Aaron Finch returned to St Vincent’s and joined a large group of Australian cricket players awaiting any updates on Hughes.

Michael Clarke, the Australian captain, has been a near-constant presence, only leaving at midnight last night, before returning to St Vincent’s Hospital at 6am today.

Clarke was among the last to leave about 12.15am on Thursday, following players such as Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Phil Jaques and Mitchell Starc.

Matthew Wade and Finch flew in from interstate to arrive at the hospital at 8am to visit Hughes, keeping emotions in check as they walked into the hospital’s main entrance.

Former NSW teammate Dan Smith returned by himself at 9.15am after spending most of the day there yesterday.

Hughes‘ tragic situation sent shock waves through the cricketing world, with messages of support pouring in from current and former Australian cricketers as well as players from around the globe.

Cricket Australia on Wednesday called off the entire round of Sheffield Shield matches out of respect for Hughes.

As a result, one point will be given to each team in an abandoned match.

media_camera Boxer Anthony Mundine was also a visitor. Picture: Jame Croucher

media_camera Johan Botha, Adam Zampa, David Warner and Tom Cooper are seen talking outside the entrance of St Vincent's Hospital. Picture: Getty Images

media_camera Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann (right) and Aaron Finchtoday. Picture: Getty Images

media_camera Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith arrive at St Vincent's today. Picture: Getty Images

As NSW players gathered yesterday, there was particular concern being shown for 22-year-old all-rounder Sean Abbott, the man who was simply doing his job when a bouncer he bowled caused unimaginable damage to his former teammate.

Abbott arrived before 9am in the morning and he was still there at the SCG after 4pm.

Sources confirmed Abbott was particularly shaken, but was being well supported by family, teammates and friends.

“He’s someone we’re monitoring closely and he’s receiving a lot of support,” said Cricketers Association chief executive Alastair Nicholson, who was at the SCG with colleague Graham Manou to also provide support.

Nicholson said that “there’s obviously a large degree of shock and the overall playing community are devastated to hear what’s happened”.

media_camera Australian captain Michael Clarke arrives at St Vincents Hospital this morning to maintain his bedside vigil beside his team mate and good friend Philip Hughes. Picture: Damian Baker

media_camera Cricketers Matthew Wade (left) and Aaron Finch arrive at St Vincent's Hospital to visit Phillip Hughes in Sydney. Picture: AAP

media_camera Midnight last night: Michael Clarke and Kyly Clarke leave the hospital. Picture: Damian Baker

media_camera Brad Haddin leaves St Vincents hospital yesterday.

“Many players and support staff from both sides have found the past 24 hours highly distressing and no doubt quite confronting. This sort of situation reaches beyond rivalries and beyond sport.

“There’s a lot of emotion and we’re assisting as best we can to help them deal with what’s a very challenging time. They are doing their best to support one another.”

Nicholson said at this stage Friday’s tour match between a Cricket Australia XI and India and the next round of Sheffield Shield matches, which begin the following Friday, would go ahead.

Questions have been raised as to why it took over 20 minutes for an ambulance to arrive.

NSW Ambulance finally confirmed late yesterday that the first ambulance dispatched took 23 minutes to reach the SCG, despite the nearest ambulance station at Paddington being just 800m away.

It was only after a second call was made for the unconscious and bloodied 25-year-old Test player — that another ambulance was dispatched and arrived at the ground in just seven minutes — well ahead of the first ambulance.

Hughes was struck at 2.23pm and minutes later players were seen frantically signalling to the dressing room to call an ambulance.

Hughes’ South Australia teammates have arrived back in Adelaide, and SACA CEO Keith Bradshaw spoke on their behalf at the airport.

“They are completely gutted and completely shattered,” Bradshaw said. “Phil is ... Phil is a very loved and respected and admired player, he’s just a terrific guy. This is just a tragic event and everyone is just devastated.

media_camera Former Test fast bowler Brett Lee at St Vincents Hospital Sydney to see injured cricketer Phillip Hughes

NSW and South Australian players and staff have all been offered counselling and the Australian Cricketers’ Association is working to extend that to athletes in other states.

media_camera Shane Watson and Lee Furlong leave St Vincent’s Hospital last night after visiting Phillip Hughes

media_camera Matthew Day, who plays with Phillip’s brother Jason and former teammate Dan Smith, at St Vincent’s hospital. Picture: Damian Baker

Hughes, from Macksville on the NSW north coast, burst on to the international scene in 2009, making his debut as a 20-year-old against South Africa.

He then became the youngest player to score centuries in both innings of a Test when he cracked 115 and 160 in the second Test against South Africa at Kingsmead.

He later joined the South Australian team to revitalise his Test career.

He had scored 170 runs at 42.50 in three Sheffield Shield matches this season.

media_camera Phillip Hughes is struck on the head by a delivery during the Sheffield Shield match between NSW and SA at the SCG. Picture: Phil Hillyard

media_camera Australian cricket team doctor Peter Brukner speaks to the media outside St Vincent's Hospital.

media_camera Peter Nevill (far right) and Dave Warner (behind Nevill) gesture for an ambulance call.

media_camera Brad Haddin, Steve Smith and Moises Henriques arrive at St Vincent's Hospital yesterday to visit Phillip Hughes.

Originally published as Phillip Hughes’ death plunges nation into mourning