MELBOURNE
A 25-year-old Australian cricketer died Thursday after getting hit by a ball on his head during a cricket match in Sydney.
Phillip Hughes was struck on the head as he batted for South Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground Tuesday. Hughes underwent emergency surgery shortly after being rushed to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney.
Cricket Australia, the governing body for professional cricket in the country, announced the cricketer's death with a statement from team doctor Peter Brukner.
"It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away," Brukner said in a statement.
"He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday. He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends," the statement said.
"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,” said Cricket New South Wales Chief Executive Andrew Jones.
The management of the Sydney Cricket Association decided Thursday to abandon matches on Nov. 29 as a mark of respect following Hughes' death.
www.aa.com.tr/en
