SYDNEY — Australia cricketer Phil Hughes was still fighting for his life Wednesday as family and friends kept vigil at his hospital bedside. Hughes remains in an induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery Tuesday when he was struck in the head by a bouncer, a devastating blow that experts likened to the trauma experienced by car crash victims. The 25-year-old underwent further scans Wednesday morning but medical staff at Sydney's St Vincent's hospital did not disclose the results. “Phillip's condition is unchanged and he remains critical,” the Australian cricket team doctor Peter Brukner told reporters. “If there are any further developments we will let you know immediately.” Hughes needed CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after he collapsed at the Sydney Cricket Ground when he was struck in the back of the head by a short-pitched delivery. He was rushed by ambulance to the nearby hospital and immediately underwent an operation to relieve the pressure on his brain. As a sign of respect, Cricket Australia (CA) called off the entire round of matches in the country's domestic first-class competition. “Given how players across the country are feeling right now, it's just not the day to be playing cricket,” CA's Pat Howard said in a statement. CA has offered counseling to players who witnessed the incident, including paceman Sean Abbott, who bowled the ball that reared up and struck Hughes. Abbott was one of the first players to aid Hughes when he crumbled on to the pitch, cradling him until medical staff arrived on the field. The injury to Hughes also turned attention on the helmets used in cricket after manufacturer Masuri said the Australian was not using the latest version. However, the equipment makers said they wanted to fully review the incident before making any conclusions. — Reuters
