Australian Cricket Player Dies After 'Freak Accident'

Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images(SYDNEY, Australia) — Phillip Hughes, the Australian cricket player who was struck in the head or neck by a ball on Tuesday died Thursday.

In a statement released by Cricket Australia, team doctor Peter Brukner said that Hughes “never regained consciousness following his injury.”

“He was not in pain when he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends,” Brukner added. Hughes sustained his injury while playing for South Australia. While he was batting, a delivery bounced and struck Hughes in the area of his neck and head, requiring surgery. After surgery, he received treatment in intensive care.

“The word tragedy gets used far too often in sport,” said Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland, “but this freak accident is now a real-life tragedy. Just shy of his 26th birthday, Phillip has been taken from us far too young.”

A two-day test match between Cricket Australia and India scheduled for Friday and Saturday has been cancelled.





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