Phillip Hughes dies after cricket injury The cricket world has been left in shock by the death of Phillip Hughes, two days after the Australian Test batsman was struck in the head by a ball. He died three days shy of his 26th birthday. Cricket Australia confirmed the death of the left-handed batsman, who scored three centuries in 26 Tests for Australia and was known for his aggressive but unconventional style of batting. He had been in a medically induced coma since the incident that has provided a reminder of the dangers of the sport and spurred calls for the design of safer helmets. Hughes" death was announced on Thursday by Peter Brukner, the Australian team doctor. [Hughes] never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday. He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends," Dr Brukner said. As a cricket community we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillip's family and friends at this incredibly sad time. Tony Abbott, Australia's prime minister, led the tributes. Phillip Hughes was a young man living out his dreams. His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family. What happened has touched millions of Australians," he said. No no no no no. RIP Phillip Hughes," tweeted Adam Gilchrist, former Australian wicketkeeper. RIP you little champ, we are all going to miss you! Love, prayers to all the Hughes family xxxx," tweeted Darren Lehmann, Australia team coach. James Sutherland, chief executive of the game's governing body in Australia, said: "This freak accident is real life tragedy. We are completely devastated. Hughes was felled during a Sheffield Shield clash between South Australia and New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday afternoon. The opener missed an attempted hook shot from NSW paceman Sean Abbott, and was struck by the ball in the back of his upper neck - an area unprotected by his helmet. Hughes appeared groggy after the impact, but then collapsed face-first into the pitch, prompting players and medical staff to rush to his aid. The batsman was treated with mouth-to-mouth on the ground, and then rushed to Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital and underwent surgery. He was placed in a medically induced coma from which he did not recover. Dr Brukner said the blow had compressed Hughes" vertebral artery, "causing the artery to split and for bleeding to flow up into the brain." The cricketer was raised in Macksville, rural northern NSW, to a farming family whose interests included Angus beef and bananas. Tipped at an early age for international success, Hughes appeared to fulfil that immense promise by making back-to-back centuries in his debut Test series against South Africa in 2009. At 20, he was the youngest batsman to score twin centuries in a Test. But in spite of his dashing strokeplay, Hughes never cemented his position in the Australian Test or One Day sides, and was dropped five times from the Test side. In 26 Tests, he notched up 1,535 runs at an average of 32.65 with three centuries and seven fifties. He played his final Test at Lord's in London in July 2013. He also played 25 One Day Internationals, and a single Twenty20 match for his country. Phillip Joel Hughes, born November 30 1988, died November 27 2014