Australian cricketer Phil Hughes in critical condition after being hit in head by ball
Batsman rushed to hospital for emergency surgery
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Australian batsman Phil Hughes was in critical condition following emergency surgery on Tuesday after he was knocked out by a bouncer in a freak incident which shocked cricket.
The 25-year-old, who is pressing for a Test recall, crashed to the ground unconscious after the heavy blow to the head and was air-lifted to hospital from Sydney Cricket Ground.
Television images showed the helmeted Hughes, who had scored a composed 63 for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield game, standing dazed before going down face-first following the rising delivery from New South Wales bowler Sean Abbott.
New South Wales players, including Test colleagues David Warner and Brad Haddin, quickly rushed to his side and immediately called for help.
“He is undergoing surgery,” said David Faktor, a spokesman for St Vincent’s Hospital, where Hughes was taken. “He has sustained a head injury, he is in a critical condition.”
A hospital statement later said Hughes was out of surgery but remained in critical condition in intensive care.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Phil Hughes right now. We are also thinking of his family, team-mates and friends in the Australian cricket family
Reports said he was in an induced coma and being treated to relieve pressure on his brain from bleeding.
Tim Nielsen from South Australia Cricket read out a statement from the Hughes family outside the hospital.
“The outcome of the surgery is unlikely to be known for the next 24-48 hours,” he said. “We would appreciate it if you would look after the family and friends and respect their privacy please.”
Medical staff worked on Hughes, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and oxygen, for more than 30 minutes before he was taken from the field ahead of a helicopter landing on the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch.
The accident, with Hughes’ mother and sister in the stands watching, sparked an outpouring of support for a player who is well-liked and respected in cricketing circles.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Phil Hughes right now. We are also thinking of his family, team-mates and friends in the Australian cricket family,” said Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland, adding that the news ”sent shudders” through him.
