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- Vale Phillip Hughes, 1988 - 2014
Cricket Australia has released a statement confirming that Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes has died.
In a statement released a short time ago, Cricket Australia said the 25-year-old did not regain consciousness after being hit by a bouncer at the SCG on Tuesday.
"He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends,” the statement read.
"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."
Hughes, 25, suffered the injury when hit by in the head by a bouncer from NSW paceman Sean Abbott while batting for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield match at the SCG on Tuesday.
He underwent emergency surgery to reduce pressure on his brain later that day and remained in an induced coma in intensive care.
As the cricket world came to grips with the severity of his plight, numerous Test and state cricket colleagues and friends joined his family at the hospital over the two days.
Test captain and close friend Michael Clarke was a near constant visitor, arriving back at the hospital just after 6am on Thursday, barely hours after he left the Darlinghurst facility on Wednesday night.
A steady stream of sombre-looking current and former players followed him throughout Thursday.
Mid-morning interstate players Matthew Wade and Aaron Finch, who embraced Brad Haddin as he walked through the hospital doors, arrived.
After visiting the SCG, ashen-faced Australian cricket team coach Darren Lehmann arrived, also returning again after midday.
Tom Cooper, the player batting with Hughes when he was hit, turned up after lunch and met Test opener David Warner outside the foyer where a increasing group of cricketers was gathered.
Some of the biggest names in Australian cricket arrived after 1pm to show their support, including former captain Rick Ponting, and Steve Waugh.
Test player Peter Siddle and James Pattinson were also part of the bedside vigil.
Many shocked fans and friends have taken to Twitter since the announcement to express their grief and sadness.
