Phil Hughes: Australian cricketer 'critical' after being hit by ball

Australian cricketer Phil Hughes is in a critical condition after being struck in the head by a ball at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The South Australian left-hander put his hands on his knees and then collapsed after misjudging a bouncer bowled by New South Wales bowler Sean Abbott, which hit his helmet at speed.

Opposition players instantly surrounded the batsman and called for help. Hughes was treated at the ground and then stretchered off to a helicopter that flew him to nearby St Vincent's Hospital, where he underwent surgery. The player's condition remains critical, the BBC reports.

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The match was abandoned after the incident. Hughes's mother and sister were at the ground and travelled to the hospital to be with him.

South Australian Cricket's manager Tim Nielsen said "the outcome [of the surgery] is unlikely to be known for 24-48 hours. In the meantime, we would really appreciate if you look after his family and friends and respect their privacy please."

Cricket Australia's chief executive James Sutherland said that when he heard about the incident it "sent shudders" through him, the ABC reports.

"It makes a lot of things flash through your mind," Sutherland said. "The most important thing right now is about Phil and his health and safety – and our thoughts and prayers are with him and with his family and friends."

He added: "We're also naturally concerned about all of those involved in today's game and will be giving them our utmost support."

NSW assistant coach Geoff Lawson said he had never seen an incident like it: "I've seen players get broken noses and cheekbones and suffered a broken jaw myself and I've seen a lot of blood and I've seen some people get a concussion," he said. "But I've never seen in all my days in the game a consequence like this where somebody's life may be in jeopardy."

Hughes was one half of a record-breaking partnership that lit up the first Ashes Test in Trent Bridge in July last year. Hughes and debutant Ashton Agar stood for 163, as Hughes guided the young bowler to 98 runs – eclipsing the previous record set by a Test number 11 of 95, made by West Indies' Tino Best against England at Edgbaston in 2012.

Hughes had recently been identified as one of a number of batsmen in line for a Test recall after Australian captain Michael Clarke was ruled out of the first Test against India on 4 December.