'Horrible day for cricket'
'Dark day for cricket, can't believe Phil Hughes has gone! RIP my friend'
'Just heard the worst news possible'
'Spare a thought for Sean Abbott'
The cricket fraternity across the globe reacted with shock and sadness at the sad demise of Australian batsman Philip Hughes in a Sydney hospital on Thursday, two days after he was struck on the head by a ball during a domestic match.
The 25-year-old Australia international, who was in contention for a Test recall for the coming series against India, died at the St Vincent's Hospital, where he was battling for life.
He was struck on the head by a short-pitched delivery from New South Wales paceman Sean Abbott, a devastating blow that experts compared to the trauma suffered by car crash victims.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India condoled the sudden demise of Hughes, who was described as a true gentleman on the field.
"Our condolences and prayers with Phil Hughes's family. May his soul rest in peace. #PhilHughes #CricketFamily," BCCI wrote in its Twitter page.
A statement from BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel read: "On behalf of the BCCI, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Phillip Hughes who passed away days before he turned 26 and left an indelible mark on the cricketing community.
"A fine cricketer who possessed the talent and temperament to have a long and fruitful international career has been snatched by a cruel twist of fate.
"As a member of the Australian cricket team which toured India recently, he brought immense joy to the cricket fans of our country and would be missed for time immemorial by the cricketing community of the world. May his soul rest in peace."
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar expressed sympathy for his family.
"Shocked to hear about Phil. Sad day for cricket. Deepest condolences to family, friends and well-wishers. RIP #PhilipHughes," Tendulkar said.
India vice-captain Virat Kohli, who will lead the side in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane in the absence of regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, termed it as a horrible day for the game of cricket.
"Shocked and saddened by the news of Phil Hughes. Horrible day for cricket. RIP Phil and may your family gain the strength to cope," he tweeted.
Another Indian batsman, Rohit Sharma, had words of sympathy for Sean Abott, whose bouncer hit Hughes, leading to the left-hander's death.
"Saddest day in cricket fraternity. Rest in peace mate and Sean Abbott stay strong #PhilHughes," Rohit tweeted.
Out of-favour all-rounder Yuvraj Singh termed Hughes's demise as a dark day for the game.
"Dark day for cricket, can't believe Phil Hughes has gone! RIP my friend! My heart goes out to his family! Shocking," Yuvraj wrote.
"Shocked and saddened. Phil Hughes you will live on in our hearts. RIP. Worst day in world cricket #peace #PhilHughes," Suresh Raina tweeted.
Sri Lanka's former skipper and batting star Mahela Jayawardene, explosive West Indies batsman Chris Gayle and Pakistan's Shahid Afridi also took to the micro-blogging site to express their condolences on the devastating news.
"Just heard the worst news possible... our thoughts and prayers are with Phil, his family & friends. RIP Phil Hughes!!" Jayawardene said.
"Really Sad news to hear this morning. RIP Philip Hughes. Condolences to his family - you will be missed," Gayle wrote
"My heartfelt condolences to the family of Australian cricketer Phil Hughes on the sad demise," Afridi reacted.
Former England skipper Ian Botham also tweeted: "A very sad day for the world of cricket. So sorry for Phillip Hughes and his family. Spare a thought for Sean Abbott."
Hughes, who played 26 Tests in his short-career, scoring 1,535 runs at 32.65 with three centuries and seven fifties, was batting for South Australia on 63 when he was struck by the bouncer below the helmet while trying to play a hook shot.
He was administered CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at the ground before being taken to hospital. He underwent a 90-minute emergency operation before being placed in an induced coma in the Intensive Care Unit of the St Vincent's Hospital but never regained consciousness.
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