SYDNEY: Australian batsman Phillip Hughes died Thursday from the injuries sustained when he was hit by a bouncer in a domestic game this week, Cricket Australia said.

“It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away,” Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said in a statement.

Hughes was 25.

He was batting confidently on 63 when he mistimed an attempted pull shot and was hit on the back, left side of the head by a regulation bouncer from New South Wales fast bowler Sean Abbott.

Phil Hughes had emergency surgery and was in a critical condition in a Sydney hospital after he was struck on the head by a ball during a domestic first-class match on Tuesday.

He was treated and ventilated on the field by medical experts, including doctors who were flown by helicopter onto the Sydney Cricket Ground, before being taken to nearby St Vincent’s Hospital by ambulance.

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He was rushed by ambulance to the nearby hospital and immediately underwent an operation to relieve the pressure on his brain.

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Hughes made his Test debut in South Africa in 2009, where he made 75 in the second innings at Johannesburg. The left-hander followed up in the second Test at Durban with centuries in both innings, amassing some 275 runs at the crease.

The runs dried up and despite playing 26 Tests he has never secured a regular place in the team, partly due to his perceived weakness against the short ball.

However, Hughes was considered a strong contender to force his way back into Australia’s Test team next week if injured skipper Michael Clarke was forced out of the series-opening match against India.