Cricketer in critical condition

Australian national team cricketer Phillip Hughes is in a 'critical' condition and has been put into an induced coma after being hit on the back of the head by a ball during a cricket game in Sydney.

The incident, which occurred at Sydney's SCG in a match between the states of South Australia and New South Wales, seemed relatively innocuous at first.

Hughes, who was attempting to play a hook shot off Sean Abbott's bowling, missed the ball before it hit him on the back of the head. The 25-year-old then regained his footing, propping himself up on his bat, before falling suddenly face-first to the ground.

Hughes was then taken by ambulance to the intensive care unit of a local hospital, where he was subsequently operated on, according to a hospital spokesman.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland was contacted shortly after the incident.

"We are all in shock," Sutherland told a gathering of journalists. "To be honest, it sends shudders through you. It makes a lot of things flash through your mind, I guess.

"He is getting the best possible care and our thoughts and prayers are with him now," Sutherland said.

Teammates offer support

Australia's cricket captain Michael Clarke was one of the first people to arrive at St Vincent's hospital to be at the bedside of Hughes. Other teammates and opponents also took to Twitter to offer their best wishes.

The match between South Australia and New South Wales has subsequently been called off, after mutual agreement between the two captains. Players involved, including Abbott, have been offered counselling said a statement on Cricket Australia's website.

"Phil is a really popular guy, not just in Australia, but around the world," Sutherland said. "Shortly after it happened, I received a message from the New Zealand cricketers, who are in the UAE, voicing their concern and best wishes."

Despite the fact that professional cricketers play against balls travelling at up to speeds of 160 kilometers per hour, there have been few head injuries to international cricketers in recent times. This is especially the case since the introduction of helmets in the late 1970s. Hughes was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.