Phillip Hughes dies after cricket injury

Phillip Hughes, the Australian Test cricketer, has died from injuries sustained after being hit on the back of the head by a cricket ball. He died three days shy of his 26th birthday.

The left-handed batsman, who scored three centuries in 26 Tests for Australia, had been in a medically induced coma since Tuesday. Cricket Australia, the country's governing body for the sport, on Thursday afternoon confirmed Hughes' death from his injuries.

Hughes was felled during a Sheffield Shield clash between South Australia and New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday afternoon.

In a freak accident, the opener missed an attempted hook shot from NSW paceman Sean Abbott, resulting in the ball hitting the back of his head in an area unprotected by his helmet.

Hughes appeared to pause for breath after the impact, but then collapsed face-first into the pitch, prompting players and medical staff to rush to his aid.

The batsman was treated with mouth-to-mouth on the ground, and then rushed to Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital, where he was placed in a medically induced coma.

Hughes' death was announced on Thursday by Peter Brukner, a sports doctor with the Australian team.

"[Hughes] 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.

"As a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip's family and friends at this incredibly sad time."

His death has shocked the cricketing world and beyond, and highlighted the dangers of a sport that is widely regarded as a gentlemen's game.

"Phillip Hughes was a young man living out his dreams," said Tony Abbott, Australia prime minister.

"His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family. What happened has touched millions of Australians."

Hughes' death will also raise questions over the design of the protective helmets worn by cricketers.

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The cricketer was raised in Macksville, rural northern NSW, to a farming family whose interests included Angus beef and bananas.

Tipped for international success at an early age, Hughes appeared to fulfil that promise by making back-to-back centuries in his debut Test series against South Africa in 2009. At 20, he was the youngest batsman to score twin centuries in a Test.

However, Hughes never cemented his position in the Australian Test of One Day sides, and was dropped five times from the Test side.

In 26 Tests, he notched up 1,535 runs at an average of 32.65 with three centuries and seven fifties. He played his final Test at Lord's in London in July 2013.

He also played 25 One Day Internationals, and a single Twenty20 match for his country.

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