Sydney: Australian batsman Phil Hughes continued to fight for life as he remained in a critical condition after being struck on the head in a freak accident during a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground here.
The 25-year-old left-hander, who was on the verge of a Test recall, was hit on the lower head by a Sean Abbot bouncer yesterday following which he underwent an emergency surgery and was placed in an induced coma in the Intensive Care Unit of the St Vincent’s Hospital here.
Australia’s team doctor Peter Brukner spoke to the media outside the hospital today on Hughes condition.
“Phillip’s condition is unchanged and he remains critical. If there are any further developments we will let you know immediately,” Brukner said.
Cricket Australia also issued a statement updating about Hughes’ condition and future course of treatment.
“Phillip Hughes remains in a critical condition in St Vincents hospital after being struck in the head while batting for South Australia against NSW at the SCG yesterday,” CA said in the statement.
“He will have scans this morning and a further update will be provided when the results of those scans are known.”
Meanwhile, CA has decided to abandon the ongoing round of Sheffield Shield matches as a mark of respect for Hughes who suffered the injury on the opening day of the match between New South Wales and South Australia.
CA informed that the game between Victoria vs Western Australia at the MCG and Queensland vs Tasmania at Allan Border Field have also been abandoned this morning. This follows yesterday’s abandonment of the New South Wales vs South Australia at the SCG match in which Hughes got injured.
“We’ve spoken to players and the ACA, and given how players across the country are feeling right now, it’s just not the day to be playing cricket and we understand that,” CA’s Executive General Manager of Team Performance Pat Howard said.
“We are continuing to offer all players and match officials counselling and support at this difficult time.
“Phillip Hughes continues to receive the best possible medical care. The thoughts of his teammates and the wider cricket community are with Phillip and his family and friends at this difficult time,” Howard said.
With questions being raised over the degree of safety provided by protective gears in cricket in the wake of the Phil Hughes incident, the manufacturer of the injured cricketer’s helmet, Masuri, has said that the Australian batsman was wearing an older and lighter headgear.A spokesman for the UK-based company said that Hughes was wearing an old helmet instead of their their latest model, in the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and South Australia at the SCG. (pti)