Australia is in mourning following the death of young test batsman Phillip Hughes, who died on Thursday. Hughes sustained a fatal head knock while playing in a State game on Tuesday. He was 25 years old.
Cricket Australia released a statement to announce Hughes' shock death, and said he was not in pain before he died.
"It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away," said the statement from Australia's team doctor, Peter Brukner. "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."
"As a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip's family and friends at this incredibly sad time."
Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke led the tributes at a highly emotional media conference on Thursday afternoon. He read a statement from the Hughes family and then had to leave the room.
Australian coach Darren Lehmann and others in the cricket community were shocked and stunned.
RIP you little champ, we are all going to miss you ! Love, prayers to all the Hughes family xxxx
No no no no no. RIP Phillip Hughes
Rest in peace Hughesy. I am really going to miss you. You were 1 of the great blokes and I will never forget you. #408 will live on forever.
Such terrible news with the passing of Phil Hughes. Our deepest sympathies to his family.
There are just no words to express the sadness I feel. The world has lost a great man!
Hughes received the blow from a bouncing ball while playing for South Australia against New South Wales.
The ball hit him on the side of the head and the batsman collapsed to the pitch. Bowler Sean Abbott and other teammates held his head while waiting for doctors to arrive.
At Thursday's media conference, Brukner explained how the ball had hit the back of his neck, severing an artery and causing a "massive bleed".
Dr Brukner on Hughes' injury: "There's only about 100 cases ever reported... only one case caused by a cricket ball"
St Vincent's Hospital's Dr Tony Grabs added that Hughes had been brought there with a "catastrophic" injury and blood surrounding his brain. Surgery was performed to relieve pressure but he did not recover.
"There's only about 100 cases of this ever reported...only one case caused by a cricket ball," said Dr Brukner.
Both doctors played down media speculation that ambulance response time had caused Hughes' condition to worsen. They maintain doctors at the ground worked to keep him alive.
Cricket Australia joined others in expressing deep sadness for Hughes and support for bowler Sean Abbott.
The strength of the cricket family is more important than ever on this incredibly sad day. Please keep Sean Abbott in your thoughts.
Teammates from around Australia had flown into Sydney to visit Hughes while international cricketers sent their messages of support.
The prime minister, Tony Abbott, released a statement expressing deep sadness over Hughes' death.
"Philip Hughes was a young man living out his dreams," Abbott said. "His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family. What happened has touched millions of Australians.
"For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration. He was loved, admired and respected by his teammates and by legions of cricket fans."
The young batsman played 26 test matches for Australia and scored three centuries. He was in line for a test recall for next week's fixture against India.
It was would have been his 26th birthday this Sunday.
