SHOCKED Worcestershire CCC players and staff have shown their support for batsman Phil Hughes after he was hit in the head by a ball during a match in Australia.
The former Pear was struck by a bouncer from Sean Abbott and collapsed face-first to the ground shortly afterwards during a Sheffield Shield game for South Australia against New South Wales yesterday (Tuesday).
Paramedics performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the batsman and treated him on the boundary for around 40 minutes.
Hughes was then taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney and underwent surgery following which he was put into an induced coma where he remains in a critical condition.
The 25-year-old left hander spent a year at New Road 2012 and Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes told the Observer the batsman was hugely popular in the dressing room.
“It’s not news you expect when you first turn on the radio in the morning and obviously our thoughts as a club are with Phil and his family at this time,” he said.
“I don’t think Phil ever had a situation where he had enemies because he is so likeable.
“He came over as not a big superstar test cricketer which he was when he joined but a down to earth character who didn’t say a lot but when he did it was often sarcastic and funny which made him so popular in the dressing room,” he added.
Pears skipper Daryl Mitchell tweeted his support and said: “Thoughts with Hughesy and his family, fight hard as always Legend!.”
Young all-rounder Brett D’Oliveira tweeted a picture of the pair together and said: “Thoughts with Hughesy and family today! Top player and bloke. Get well soon mate x.”
Physio Ben Davies tweeted: “Horrible news to wake up to. Thinking of you Hughesy. Tough bloke.”
