Sydney, Nov 25: Australia opener Phil Hughes was taken to hospital after he collapsed on the pitch after being hit on the head by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match today. (Hughes undergoes surgery)
Wishes pour in from cricketers; Team India's message
The incident happened at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the four-day game between New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia. According to reports from Australia, the batsman's condition was serious.
South Australia's Hughes (formerly with NSW), batting on 63, was struck on the head by a bouncer from Sean Abbott on the first day. After this incident, play was abandoned for the day.
The 25-year-old left-hander was taken to the hospital in an air ambulance which landed on the outfield, according to Cricket Australia's (CA) website.
"The momentum of his follow through took him to the side of the pitch where he rested momentarily looking at his feet, with one hand on his knee and propped up by his bat in his left hand before he collapsed and fell face-first to the ground as the NSW players and fellow batsman Tom Cooper rushed to his aid," CA reported.
"Hughes was taken from the SCG field on a medicab, with NSW batsman and Australia squad teammate David Warner riding alongside his mate. Hughes was treated on the boundary by NSW Blues team doctor Dr John Orchard, also Cricket Australia's chief medical officer, and paramedics as three ambulances arrived at the SCG before the helicopter landed on the outfield. It was reported he received mouth-to-mouth rescusitation and oxygen," the report added.
Hughes was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst and soon Australia captain Michael Clarke arrived at the hospital to visit his close friend, the report said.
CA CEO Sutherland's message
CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland extended his best wishes to Hughes.
Sutherland said: "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.
"His welfare is our highest priority. We're also naturally concerned about all of those involved in today's game and will be giving them our utmost support."
Australian Cricketers' Association Chief Executive Officer Alastair Nicholson also sent his support to Hughes. He said: "We were obviously shocked to learn of the seriousness of the incident involving Phil. While we have faith that he's receiving the best available treatment, the situation will impact his family, friends, and those directly involved on the field. The ACA is therefore working closely with CA to arrange the appropriate counselling for those affected. Naturally our thoughts are with him and we wish him well from all the ACA members."
Hughes has played 26 Tests, 25 ODIs and 1 T20I for Australia. He was in line for a recall to the Test side to face India in the four-match series which starts in Brisbane on December 4.
Soon after the incident, messages poured in from cricketers and fans, via Twitter, many praying for Hughes' quick recovery.
Here are some of the messages
This looks serious. I hope Phil Hughes is fine pic.twitter.com/zFM3TTwKOl
— Mark Travers (@mark_travers) November 25, 2014
Thoughts with Phil Hughes... Hopefully not as bad as first feared
— Alex Hales (@AlexHales1) November 25, 2014
Phil Hughes was struck at 2.23. He seemed stunned before falling to the ground. He was wearing a helmet. Doctors worked on him for 30 mins
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) November 25, 2014
Disturbing news about Phil Hughes...hope the injury isn't serious. Wishing him a speedy recovery. Prayers.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 25, 2014
Thoughts and prayers with Phil Hughes, family, friends and teammates.
— Sharon Drew (@BluRibbonLegal) November 25, 2014
Thoughts with Phil Hughes from this side of the Tasman, team @CricketAus 'I
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 25, 2014
Best wishes to Test hopeful & SA batsman Phil Hughes who is in some trouble after being hit by a bouncer at the SCG
— WACA (@waca_cricket) November 25, 2014
Thoughts with Phil Hughes. Hope he's ok!
— Jos Buttler (@josbuttler) November 25, 2014
Pretty scary the Phil Hughes incident!
— Hayden Flint (@haydos_86) November 25, 2014
PHIL hughes. U are hero. Stay. Stay stay. Fight fight fight.
— dishank vatiya (@dishankvatiya) November 25, 2014
Wishing my boy Phil Hughes a huge recovery. Devastating news. #fightforphil
— Brendan Goss (@gossy77) November 25, 2014
Phil Hughes - get well soon
— F Zaidi (@Oval54) November 25, 2014
Michael Clarke has just arrived at the hospital where Phil Hughes is
— Troy Wingate (@troypower23) November 25, 2014
My thoughts go out to Phil Hughes #PrayForPhil
— Lachlan Hope (@lachlanhope16) November 25, 2014
Full credit to the @CricketNSWBlues for showing tremendous urgency and utmost care for Phil Hughes as soon as he was hit.
— Matty Back (@MattiusBackius) November 25, 2014
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