SYDNEY, Australia: The 25-year-old Australian Test batsman Philip Hughes passed away on Thursday as a result of the head injury he sustained when struck by a bouncer two days ago.
“It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away,” the Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said in a statement.
“He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday. He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends,” Dr Brukner said.
Hughes had been in a critical condition in a Sydney hospital since being hit by a bouncer while playing for South Australia against New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Philip Hughes was rushed to a nearby hospital where he immediately underwent surgery, and was then in an induced coma.
Hughes played 26 Tests for Australia and scored three centuries, and he appeared a strong chance to win a recall for next week’s first Test against India at the Gabba.
Hughes first emerged as an international cricketer on the 2009 tour of South Africa, where at the age of 20 in Durban he became the youngest man ever to score two centuries in a Test.
Pakistan vs New Zealand third Test: Play suspended for today
Meanwhile, the second day’s play of the third Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Sharjah has been suspended following the death of Australia batsman Phillip Hughes in Sydney because of a head injury.
The match has been extended by a day, and tomorrow will be day two.
On the opening day of third and final Cricket Test against New Zealand at Sharjah, Pakistan were 281 for the loss of three wickets at stumps on Wednesday. For Pakistan, Muhammad Hafeez scored 178 unbeaten runs.
