Cricketer critical after being hit by bouncer
OUTCOME OF BRAIN SURGERY TO BE KNOWN ONLY AFTER 48 HOURS
Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes is in critical condition in a Sydney hospital after undergoing emergency surgery for a severe head injury suffered when he was struck on the helmet by a ball during a domestic match yesterday.
The 25- year- old batsman was transferred to St Vincent’s intensive care unit after surgery and his condition is not expected to become clear for 24- 48 hours.
“We’re all in shock,” Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland said in Melbourne. “All we know is that it’s serious and he’s fortunate to be in the best possible place right now with experts all around him.”
Fitted with a ventilator to aid his breathing, Hughes was rushed from the Sydney Cricket Ground in an induced coma, having collapsed to the ground when hit by the delivery from New South Wales fast bowler Sean Abbott.
Hughes had been touted to replace injured Australia captain Michael Clarke for next week’s Test match against India.
Australian batsman Phil Hughes was fighting for his life following emergency surgery yesterday after he was knocked out by a bouncer in a freak incident that shocked the cricket world.
The 25- year- old, who is pressing for a Test recall, crashed to the ground unconscious after the heavy blow to the lower head and was rushed to hospital from the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Television images showed the helmeted Hughes, who had scored a composed 63 for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield game, standing dazed before going down face- first following the rising delivery from New South Wales bowler Sean Abbott.
New South Wales players, including Test colleagues David Warner and Brad Haddin, quickly rushed to his side and immediately called for help.
“They’ve finished the surgeries but he’s still in a critical condition,” said David Faktor, a spokesman for St Vincent’s Hospital, where Hughes was taken. “Now they’ll just monitor him.”
Reports said he was in an induced coma in the intensive care unit and being treated to relieve pressure on his brain from bleeding. Tim Nielsen from South Australia Cricket read out a statement from the Hughes family outside the hospital.
“The outcome of the surgery is unlikely to be known for the next 24- 48 hours,” he said. “We would appreciate it if you would look after the family and friends and respect their privacy please.”
Cricket Australia said in a live match blog on its website that Hughes had “been leaving the short balls, had a go at this one, misjudged it and was hit in the head. He blacked out and fell badly.” The match was abandoned. Medical staff worked on Hughes, including mouth- tomouth resuscitation and oxygen, for more than 30 minutes before he was taken from the field.
The accident sparked an outpouring of support for a player who is well- liked and respected in cricketing circles.
Hughes made his Test debut in South Africa in 2009, where he made 75 in the second innings at Johannesburg. The left- hander followed up in the second Test at Durban with centuries in both innings, amassing some 275 runs at the crease.
The runs dried up and despite playing 26 Tests he has never secured a regular place in the team, partly due to his perceived weakness against the short ball.
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