Hampshire Cricket 'Saddened' By Phillip Hughes' Death
27 November 2014, 13:07
Hampshire Cricket Club say they're 'shocked and saddened' by the death of former player Phillip Hughes.
The 25-year-old was hit on the head during New South Wales' first-class match against South Australia on Tuesday (25 November). Hughes had scored 63 runs when he was hit by a ball from bowler Sean Abbott. He was wearing a helmet at the time.
New South Wales players and the umpires quickly rushed to his side and called for help.
Tony Grabs, a surgeon at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, said Philip Hughes suffered "catastrophic head injuries".
He said surgeons removed part of the batsman's skull to relieve pressure on his brain, but he did not improve and died from a cerebral haemorrhage.
Hughes played for Hampshire in 2010.
Hampshire Cricket Chairman, Rod Bransgrove, said:
“I cannot begin to comprehend the loss of a talented, ebullient and lovely lad. In the Australia dressing room after the It20 at the Ageas Bowl in 2013, Hughesy said to me that after Warne, Katich, Watson and Clarke he felt like Hampshire's forgotten Aussie. I told him then, and I say it again now, you will never be forgotten Hughesy - you are part of our family. Rest in peace buddy.”
Hampshire Cricket Chief Executive, David Mann, said:
“Everyone at Hampshire is shocked and saddened to hear this tragic news. All of our thoughts are with Phillip’s family and we join the cricket world in mourning.”
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said: "The word tragedy gets used too often in sport, but this freak accident is real life tragedy.
"Just days short of his 26th birthday, Phillip has been taken away from us too soon. He will forever be remembered as one of the elite few to have worn the baggy green cap, cap number 408."
Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said the cricketer suffered a compressed vertebral artery after he was hit by the ball and had to be resuscitated at the ground.
He said: "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.
"As a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip's family and friends at this incredibly sad time."
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has led the tributes to the cricketer.
"His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heart-breaking day for his family," Mr Abbott said in a statement.
"What happened has touched millions of Australians. For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration."
A statement from the England cricket team said: "Our deepest sympathies go out to Phil Hughes' family, friends and teammates at this incredibly sad time.
"Phil was admired and respected by all he played with and against and will never be forgotten by the cricket community."
Teammates and other players are being offered counselling after Hughes' death.
Born in Macksville, New South Wales, Hughes made his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2009 and became the youngest player to score two centuries in a test in only his second game for Australia.
He played 26 Test matches, 25 one-day internationals and one T20 international.