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SYDNEY. — Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes died in hospital yesterday, two days after the international batsman was struck on the head by a ball during a domestic match.

Governing body Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed the 25-year-old had lost his fight for life, casting a pall over the cricket-mad nation who are co-hosting the World Cup early next year.

“We are extremely sad to announce that Phillip Hughes has passed away at the age of 25,” CA said on its Twitter feed.

“Our thoughts go out to Phillip’s family, friends, and the entire cricket community on this incredibly sad day.

“He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends.

“As a cricket community, we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to Phillips family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”

Hughes, who played in 26 tests and 25 one-day internationals for Australia, had spent a second night at the hospital in an induced coma after having emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

He was struck on the head by a ball at the Sydney Cricket Ground when batting for South Australia, a devastating blow that experts compared to the trauma suffered by victims of a car crash.

News of Hughes’ death brought a fresh wave of tributes on social media, with past and present players conveying their shock and grief.

“No no no no no. RIP Phillip Hughes,” former Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist tweeted.

Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott described Hughes as “a young man living out his dreams”.

“His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family,’ Abbott said in a statement.

“What happened has touched millions of Australians. For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration.”

The tragic announcement followed calls by former players for the Australian team to abandon the first test of the four-match series against India next week. His death was caused by a “freakish accident” that gave the 25-year-old little chance of survival, his doctors said yesterday.

“I think in this instance, this was a freakish accident because it was an injury to the neck that caused haemorrhage in the brain. The condition is incredibly rare,” Cricket Australia doctor Peter Brukner told a media conference at the hospital.

The injury, called a subarachnoid haemorrhage, occurs when an artery is compressed and splits, forcing blood into the brain area. Only one case had previously been reported as a result of a cricket ball, said Brukner. — SuperCricket.