25 year old batsman Phil Hughes was today hit in the side of the head when he tried to avoid a rising ball. He took a couple of steps, then bent over before blacking out. Serious efforts took place at the crease, trying to aid him. He was transported to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. His is at the moment in a critical condition. Our thoughts are with you Phil.
Peter Lalor, senior cricket writer for the Australian newspaper, told BBC Radio 5 live: "He looked stunned, put his head down, we assumed he was going to shake it off but he fell sickeningly into the pitch, his hands didn't come out to break his fall, and then we knew it was pretty serious. "Possibly the worst part of it was they had to give him mouth to mouth in front of the members' stand because he wasn't breathing. "He is one of the most respected and liked kids in Australian cricket, he doesn't have an enemy in the game, he's great company. "I was there when he played his first Test. Phil and I talk quite a lot and we were chatting in the UAE about him playing and said to him he would probably get Alex Doolan's place and he said 'I don't want it, I don't want to see that done to Dools, he's my mate'."
Terrible, sickening when this happens. Heard an interview this evening with Phil Simmons who experienced a similar thing and he recovered so hope that's a good omen for Phil Hughes.
Very sad and shocking news considering he was helmeted. He seemed to turn his back on it and got caught on the neck..he's normally good with the short stuff. Perhaps he wasn't expecting it and it was a ripper of a ball. Hope this ends well and fingers crossed.
Absolutely stunned to wake up to this news. RIP Phil Hughes. Truly awful for the young bowler Abbott just making his way in the game too.
RIP Phil, tragic for one so young to be taken. Agree with Chan too, the bowler must feel absolutely terrible. Woke up that morning, looking forward to representing his country at the sport he loves and suddenly he's involved in the death of an opponent. He must be devastated. This must surely prompt a thorough review of safety in the game, hopefully the regulatory body will prove more capable and accountable than those governing football and horse racing in recent times.
Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said that Phil Hughes died from a vertebral artery dissection. He said the artery had been so damaged it caused a huge bleed. He stated. "Vertebral artery dissection is incredibly rare. If you look in the literature, there is only 100 cases reported. There is only one previous example caused by a cricket ball." Truly a sad affair.
RIP Phil Hughes, such a tragedey and so young!! When I played cricket the helmet covered the entire skull, I only stopped playing 8 years ago but in that time they have become lighter and lighter and the backs have risen higher and higher. Now let's see them get back to making the protective gear how it used to be when first introduced. Players are playing shots now they once wouldn't, thinking they are safe. They aren't, as this has so tragically shown.
Dreadful news, such a freak occurrence. I'm not a cricket fan and won't pretend to know anything about the sport but surely protective equipment should have ensured things like this don't happen? I find it difficult to understand why helmets don't protect the neck and base of the skull better but as TC mentioned, in a short space of time the helmet has become lighter and the neck guard has risen. Such a shame and at 25, so young - this could have been prevented. RIP Phil Hughes.
Tragic news, thoughts go out to his family and also the young bowler who will live with this freak accident for the rest of his life
