Video: Australian cricketer Phil Hughes suffers life-threatening injury

Australian batsman Phil Hughes was struck on the head by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales on Tuesday. Playing for South Australia, the left-hander was batting on 63, when he misjudged a rising short ball delivered by Sean Abbott.

The 25-year-old fell down face-first to the ground, after resting on his knees for a couple of seconds. The players and umpires quickly rushed to the injured player and he was carried off the field on a medicab.

Three ambulances soon arrived on the ground before the medivac helicopter landed on the outfield. The cricketer was treated on the boundary by NSW Blues Doctor John Orchard. Hughes received mouth-to-mouth respiration and was then transported to St Vincent's Hospital. The player is currently in induced coma, undergoing surgery.

"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," SACA General Manager High Performance, Tim Nielsen informed the media.

Cricket Australia suspended the game with the scoreboard reading 2/136, putting the player’s welfare above all. Hughes has represented Australia in 26 Tests and 25 ODIs and was touted to be the frontrunner to take injured captain Michael Clarke’s place for the first Test against India.

Here is the video (warning – it’s graphic):