Australia batsman Phil Hughes is in a critical condition and having surgery on a head injury after being struck by a ball in a Sheffield Shield match.
Despite wearing a helmet, the 25-year-old collapsed face first onto the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch, having been hit on the head after playing and missing at a bouncer from Sean Abbott.
The incident in the game between New South Wales and Hughes' South Australia side prompted play to be abandoned for the day, while it was later announced the match has been postponed entirely as the players come to grips with what has happened.
He was taken to St Vincent's Hospital and spokesman David Faktor confirmed that after surgery, Hughes had been transferred to the intensive care unit where he is in an induced coma.
Speaking to cricketaustralia.com.au he said: "He's in ICU now, they've finished the surgery's but he's still in a critical condition. Now they'll just monitor him."
St Vincent's posted a short message on its Twitter account promising updates when available.
The left-hander, on 63 at the time, put a hand on his knee after being struck before falling face first to the ground.
Cricket Australia's official website reports that Hughes was "stuck on the back, lower left side of the head" after following through an attempted pull shot. The governing body added that no blame could be attached to Abbott.
He was then given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and oxygen on the boundary line after being carried off the pitch on a stretcher, and was then taken to nearby St Vincent's by ambulance.
The South Australian Cricket Association's general manager high performance Tim Nielsen, who was in the crowd with Hughes' mother and sister, added at the time: "As you're aware Phil Hughes was injured today and he's undergoing surgery.
"The outcome of that surgery is unlikely to be known for 24-48 hours, we ask you to respect the privacy of his family and friends."
