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RELATED: Hughes heartbreak
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UPDATE: Australians and cricketers around the world have turned to social media to pay tribute to Phillip Joel Hughes who tragically passed away after a freak incident.
Hughes was struck in the head by a cricket ball while playing in a Sheffield Shield match for South Australia against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Cricket Australia said in a statement on Thursday afternoon that Hughes had died.
"He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday," the statement said. "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.
"Cricket Australia kindly asks that the privacy of the Hughes family, players and staff be respected."
Shortly after this announcement tributes to Hughes poured in on social media.
UPDATE: Phil Hughes at a glance.
Born: November 30, 1988, in Macksville, New South Wales.
* Grew up on a banana farm before moving to Sydney. Made his first-class debut for NSW in 2007 at 18 and became the youngest to score a century in the Sheffield Shield.
* Made his test debut for Australia against South Africa in February 2009, scoring back-to-back centuries in his second match in Durban against the feared fast bowling of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.
* His unorthodox technique was exposed by England's fast bowling attack in the 2009 Ashes series and he was dropped for the third test and thereafter struggled to hold down a regular starting place.
* Featured in tests against Pakistan and New Zealand in early 2010 before being recalled for the following Ashes series as an injury replacement for Simon Katich but again struggled against the English bowling attack, scoring 97 runs in three tests.
* Retained his spot in the Australian touring party for Sri Lanka and South Africa in 2011, but was dropped during the home series against New Zealand during the Australian 2011-12 summer after criticism of his playing style.
* Went to England in 2012 and played county cricket with Worcestershire, and then had a strong start to the Sheffield Shield season and was rewarded with a spot in the test squad for Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in 2012-13.
* Scored 112 against Sri Lanka to become the first Australian batsman to score a century on his one-day international debut, helping him retain a spot in the team for the tours of India and England later in 2013
* Made his last Australian test appearance in the 2013 second Ashes Test, in which he made one in both innings
UPDATE: Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has released a statement to junior cricketers around the nation, after the passing of Australian cricketer Phil Hughes.
It reads:
Dear All,
You will have heard that Southern Redbacks batsman, Phillip Hughes sustained a fatal injury at the Sydney Cricket Ground earlier this week.
It is my sad duty to inform you that a matter of hours ago Phillip Hughes passed away.
The word tragedy gets used far too often in sport 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.
As a cricketer, Phillip was an incredibly talented and dearly loved member of the Australian, South Australian and Adelaide Strikers squads and a former NSW representative. He also played county cricket in England and IPL in India. Without doubt he was a rising star whose best cricket was still ahead of him.
As a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip's family, friends and team mates at this incredibly sad time, and of course to the Australian cricket family and the State Associations. We are thinking of you right now.
I'd like to thank you and our club community around the country for the wonderful show of support given to Phillip and his family. From social media to phone calls to our front desk, the support has been tremendous and I want to thank you on behalf of Australian cricket.
We know that Phillip would encourage you to celebrate the game of cricket with your mates over the weekend. We ask you to do that in tribute to Phillip Hughes. Whether that's getting creative with writing his player number 408 on the outfield, wearing a black arm band or having a moment's silence after the toss. Celebrate his great achievements and the contribution he made to our game.
Phillip Joel Hughes played 26 Test matches for his country. He will be sadly missed and forever remembered.
UPDATE: The Indian cricket team said in a statement that it "joins the cricketing fraternity across the world in offering condolences to the family of Phillip Hughes, who has departed from our midst."
"In this moment of grief, we pray that they are bestowed with divine strength to overcome this unfortunate tragedy.
"As fellow cricketers we cherish the memories of playing along with him and deeply respect his contribution to the game of cricket."
UPDATE: An emotional Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke read a statement at the hospital on behalf of Hughes' family.
"We're devastated by the loss of our much-loved son and brother Phillip," he said.
"It's been a very difficult few days. We appreciate all the support we've 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.
"We would like to thank all of the medical and nursing staff at St Vincent's Hospital, and cricket NSW medical staff for their great efforts with Phillip. We love you."
Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland delivered a statement after Clarke.
"This freak accident is now real life tragedy ... Our grief runs deep and the impact of Phillip's loss is enormous.
"Phil has been taken away from us too soon," Sutherland said.
"It's an understatement to say we're completely devastated. The impact of Phillip's loss is enormous.
"He will forever be remembered as one of the elite few to have worn the baggy green cap, cap number 408.
"In the darkest hours, cricket puts its collective arms around the Hughes family.
"We offer our love and endless support."
EARLIER: Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes has died in hospital, two days after he was struck in the head by a cricket ball while playing in a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Cricket Australia said in a statement on Thursday afternoon that Hughes had died.
"He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday," the statement said.
"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.
"Cricket Australia kindly asks that the privacy of the Hughes family, players and staff be respected."
Shortly after the announcement was made, David Warner, his wife Candice and Matt Wade left arm in arm, visibly emotional.
Sean Abbott, the NSW bowler who delivered the ball that struck Hughes, has also left the hospital.
Hughes, 25, has been in an induced coma since the accident on Tuesday afternoon.
Heartbreaking: Australian cricketers Brad Haddin and Aaron Finch arrive at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney.Photo: Getty
Hughes was hit on the side of the head when he attempted to hook the bouncer, delivered by NSW paceman Sean Abbott on Tuesday.
While he seemed to compose himself, the former Test opener leant forward, put his hands on his knees and, after a few seconds, suddenly collapsed head-first on to the pitch.
It was horrific, and the desperation of the moment was reflected by the way the umpires and his former teammates raced to his aid.
Cricket NSW chairman John Warn and chief executive Andrew Jones have released a statement expressing their deepest sympathy to the Hughes family.
"The entire NSW cricket community offers our heartfelt condolences to Phillip's mother and father Virginia and Greg, sister Megan and brother Jason at this most difficult of times," Mr Warn said.
"Their grief is being felt across the country and around the cricket world as the extended cricket family comes to terms with the sad loss of a very popular and talented young player."
Mr Jones said the NSW players and staff were thinking of Phillip's family.
"So many in the NSW cricket family know Greg, Virginia, Jason and Megan personally. It is tragic that Phillip has been taken from them so young. He reflected their strong country values and warmth as a loving, caring family.
"Phillip is fondly remembered as a bright and cheeky young man with an infectious smile who emerged as an outstanding junior more than a decade ago.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott described Hughes as a "young man living out his dreams".
"His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family," Mr Abbott said.
"What happened has touched millions of Australians. For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration."
Cricket great Glenn McGrath and former test wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist were among those to tweet responses to his death while Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates has sent his condolences to Hughes' family on behalf of the country's Olympians.
And South Australian Cricket Association chief executive Keith Bradshaw said Hughes was a very popular member of the state team.
Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Alistair Nicholson said cricketers far and wide had been rocked by the "devastating event".
"Phillip Hughes died playing the sport that he loved amongst those who loved him," Nicholson said.
"His final shot typified his approach to the game - aggressive, positive and defiant.
"Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family and the players."
Greens leader Christine Milne said cricket brought many Australians so much joy.
"But today this tragic event brings us an overwhelming feeling of sadness and a coming together to pay tribute to a wonderful young Australian," she said.
Flags at the MCG are being flown at half-mast on Thursday.
NSW Premier Mike Baird said all government flags would be at half-mast on Friday as a mark of respect.
"I am deeply saddened by the passing of cricketer Phillip Hughes," he said.
"This is a heartbreaking time for all cricket and sport lovers in our state. Phillip was a much-admired, dedicated and supremely gifted cricketer who we all felt was on the verge of fulfilling his immense talent.
"My condolences at this distressing time are with Phillip's family and friends, his current and former teammates and the entire cricket family.
"As a mark of respect I have asked all flags on NSW Government buildings and establishments be lowered to half-mast tomorrow."