Aussie Test Batsman Phillip Hughes Dies

Australian Test cricketer Phillip Hughes died in hospital after he was in coma for three days following a head injury sustained while playing in a Sheffield Shield game in Sydney. Hughes was batting on 63 when he was struck in the head by a bouncer from Sean Abbott. Hughes tried to regain his composure but fell face first to the ground and was taken to the hospital. He was 25. Hughes was part of the Mumbai Indians team in the Indian Premier League. (Phil Hughes death a 'freakish' accident, says doctor)

A Cricket Australia statement said that Phillip Hughes never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday. (Phi Hughes' death a sad day in cricket: Sachin Tendulkar)

"He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends. As a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip's family and friends at this incredibly sad time." (Aus PM Tony Abbott leads flood of tributes for Phil Hughes)

India's tour match against Cricket Australia in Adelaide, starting on Friday, has been called off as a mark of respect to Hughes. There are doubts over the first Test scheduled to start in Brisbane on December 4.

"The Test match next week, we haven't thought that far ahead and we really don't think it is appropriate at this time," Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said.

"The whole of Australian cricket is grieving and all we want to do is provide the Hughes family all the support we possibly can right now. In the fullness of time we'll think about what's ahead, but to be honest we really haven't thought that far ahead."

Since making his Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in February-March 2009, the left-handed Phillip Hughes played 26 Tests, scoring 1535 runs, studded with three centuries and seven fifties. With a top score of 160 versus South Africa at Durban, Hughes has a modest Test average of 32.65 but what has made him a fringe player is the lack of consistency. Hughes, pushing 26, played his last Test match against England at Lord's in July 2013. (Hughes' death sends shock wave through cricketing fraternity)

Phillip Hughes was making headlines last week. With an injured Michael Clarke doubtful for the first Test against India, Hughes was being seen as a possible replacement for the Aussie skipper in the Brisbane Test starting December 4.

Hughes made his Test debut in 2009 at the age of 20. It was baptism of fire as Hughes opened the innings alongside Katich at Cape Town. A duck, 75 and a pair of hundreds in the next Test at Durban confirmed he was a man for the future.

At Kingsmead, Hughes became the youngest cricketer ever to score back-to-back centuries in a Test match. But his form ran hot and cold and his weakness against short-pitched ball did not help. Double hundreds in a Test match against a quality South African attack was no mean achievement.