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Australian cricket player struck in head dies

Phil Hughes, 25, never regained consciousness after ball hit him below his helmet while batting for South Australia in a match.

By Mary Papenfuss
Australian batsman Phil Hughes, 25, never regained consciousness after he was struck in the head by a cricket ball while he was up at bat.
Australian batsman Phil Hughes, 25, never regained consciousness after he was struck in the head by a cricket ball while he was up at bat.

SYDNEY, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- An Australian cricket player knocked unconscious earlier this week when a ball struck him in the head has died.

Left-hander batsman Phil Hughes, 25, was struck down Tuesday while batting for South Australia against the Sydney-based New South Wales team.

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He was hit on the rear left side of the head below the helmet by a short, fast ball — known in cricketing as a "bouncer" — delivered by New South Wales bowler Sean Abbott.

Cricket balls are denser and heavier than baseballs and can travel at 100 mph. Cricket Australia issued a statement that Abbott was not at fault for the pitch.

Hughes never regained consciousness. He underwent emergency surgery and was kept in an induced coma until his death Thursday afternoon at a Sydney hospital.

The death stunned the cricket community and tributes poured in for the young batsman.

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"Cricket was Phillip's life and we as a family shared that love of the game with him.

Hughes grew up on a banana plantation in Macksville, a town of 3,000 in the north, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane.

He's survived by his parents and a bother and sister.

"We're devastated by the loss of our much-loved son and brother, Phillip. It's been a very difficult few days," said a family statement read by Australia captain Michael Clarke.

"We appreciate all the support we have received from family, friends, players, Cricket Australia and the general public. Cricket was Phillip's life and we as a family shared that love of the game with him."

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