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Phil Hughes

Australian Phil Hughes remains in a critical condition after being struck on the head by a short-pitched delivery during a first-class domestic match. The 25-year-old batsman is in an induced coma in a Sydney hospital. He underwent scans yesterday but team doctor Peter Brukner said: “Phillip’s condition is unchanged and he remains critical.” Cricket Australia has also announced that the current round of Sheffield Shield matches has been abandoned.

Hughes was carried off on a stretcher after a delivery from New South Wales bowler Sean Abbott struck him on the head, missing his helmet.

The South Australia left-hander also needed CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation before he was taken to hospital and placed in an induced coma and had a 90-minute operation to relieve pressure on his brain.

Peter Larkins, one of Australia’s leading sports physicians, said people who suffer serious injuries can remain comatose for days but can still make full recoveries. — BBC Sport