Queen Elizabeth II sends message to Phil Hughes" family Letter to family ... Queen Elizabeth II, pictured with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has sent a letter to Phil Hughes" family. THE Queen has sent a private message of condolence to the family of Phillip Hughes following the cricketer's death in Sydney. Her Majesty conveyed her sympathies to the 25-year-old's family on Friday, Australian time. Hughes died at St Vincent's Hospital on Thursday - two days after being struck by a bouncer at the SCG. Flags were flying at half-mast at Australia House in central London in tribute to Hughes and the high commission has been inundated with messages of support for the former Test batsman. Close connection ... Hughes had stints with three English county sides - Middlesex, Hampshire and Worcestershire - between 2009 and 2012 and left a lasting impression both on and off the pitch. The MCC flag at Lord's was lowered on Thursday and flowers have been left outside the home of cricket. In Australia, NSW Premier Mike Baird has announced a state memorial service will be held at the SCG on a date to be confirmed. As the cricket community continues to mourn it's not yet been decided if the first Test between Australia and India will go ahead in Brisbane as scheduled from Thursday. Originally published as Queen sends message to Hughes family