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Australian batsman Phil Hughes is in a critical condition following emergency surgery earlier Tuesday after he was knocked out by a bouncer in a freak incident which has shocked the global cricketing fraternity.
The 25-year-old South Australia batsman, who is pressing for a Test recall, crashed to the ground unconscious after the heavy blow to the head and was air-lifted to hospital from Sydney Cricket Ground.
Television images from the Sheffield Shield match showed the helmeted Hughes standing dazed before going down face-first following the rising delivery from New South Wales bowler Sean Abbott.
Medical staff worked on the 25-year-old, reportedly including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, for more than 30 minutes before he was taken from the field ahead of a helicopter landing on the pitch..
A hospital statement later said Hughes was out of surgery but remained in critical condition in intensive care.
Reports said he was in an induced coma and being treated to relieve pressure on his brain from bleeding.
The outcome of the surgery is unlikely to be known for the next 24-48 hours.
