Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes has died in hospital, two days after he was struck on the head by a cricket ball while playing in a Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said in a statement released by Cricket Australia on Thursday afternoon that Hughes had died at St Vincent’s Hospital.

‘He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday,’ he 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.’

A press conference with Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland and a surgeon was expected to be held later in the day.

Cricketers past and present are leaving the hospital inconsolable.

Hughes made his Test debut against South Africa at the Wanderers in February 2009, and was out for a fourth-ball duck, caught behind by Mark Boucher off Dale Steyn.

He followed that up with a 75 in the second innings in a game won by Australia. A week later he hit back-to-back hundreds to announce his arrival on the Test scene.

See  footage of the incident below

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