Australia batsman Phil Hughes is in a critical condition after being struck on the head by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match.
Despite wearing a helmet, the 25-year-old collapsed face first onto the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch, having been hit on the head after playing and missing at a bouncer from Sean Abbott.
The incident in the game between New South Wales and Hughes' South Australia side prompted play to be abandoned for the day, while it was later announced the match had been postponed entirely as the players come to grips with what had happened.
He was taken to St Vincent's Hospital and spokesman David Faktor confirmed that after surgery, Hughes had been transferred to the intensive care unit where he is in an induced coma.
Thoughts with Phil Hughes and his family from all at ECB. Get well soon.
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) November 25, 2014
Speaking to cricketaustralia.com.au Faktor said: "He's in ICU now, they've finished the surgeries but he's still in a critical condition. Now they'll just monitor him."
St Vincent's posted a short message on its Twitter account promising updates when available.
The left-hander, unbeaten on 63 at the time, put a hand on his knee after being struck before falling face first to the ground.
Cricket Australia's official website reports that Hughes, formerly of Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire, was "struck on the back, lower-left side of the head" after following through an attempted pull shot. The governing body added that no blame could be attached to Abbott.
He was then given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and oxygen on the boundary line after being carried off the pitch on a stretcher, and was then taken to nearby St Vincent's by ambulance.
Our thoughts and prayers are with phil and his family! He is a great fighter and a great young man!
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) November 25, 2014
The South Australian Cricket Association's general manager high performance Tim Nielsen, who was in the crowd with Hughes' mother and sister, added at the time: "As you're aware Phil Hughes was injured today and he's undergoing surgery.
"The outcome of that surgery is unlikely to be known for 24-48 hours, we ask you to respect the privacy of his family and friends."
Cricket Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland added: “Thoughts and prayers are with Phil Hughes right now. We are also thinking of his family, team-mates and friends in the Australian cricket family.
"His welfare is our highest priority. We're also naturally concerned about all of those involved in today's game and will be giving them our utmost support."
Awful news about Phil Hughes. Fight hard, everyone's thoughts are with you and your family.
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) November 25, 2014