Hughes remains in a critical condition

November 27, 2014 08:29 am | Updated 10:33 am IST - SYDNEY

Australian batsman Phillip Hughes remained in critical condition in a Sydney hospital on Thursday, almost two days after being knocked out by a cricket ball and undergoing emergency surgery.

Dozens of cricketers, including Australia captain Michael Clarke, have spent time at the 25—year—old Hughes’ bedside at St. Vincent’s Hospital in downtown Sydney, and this week’s full round of the Sheffield Shield competition has been cancelled. His condition has been unchanged since surgery to relieve pressure on his brain on Tuesday afternoon.

Test players such as David Warner, Shane Watson and vice—captain Brad Haddin were on the field for New South Wales when Hughes, a New South Welshman who now plays for South Australia, collapsed after being hit behind the left ear by a short—pitch ball from Sean Abbott at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The emotional impact on the players has led to speculation that next week’s first test against India could be delayed.

Organizers cancelled a scheduled news conference on Thursday with the captain of a Cricket Australia invitational XI due to play India in a two—day tour match in Adelaide starting on Friday.

Former Australia captain and selector Allan Border said the first test should go ahead, but selections should be based on the personal choice of players.

“There will be guys, particularly the guys that were out on the field at the time that are named in the test squad, they mightn’t be feeling like playing cricket at the moment,” Border told Fox Sports . “You’d understand if they wanted to pull out. But I think the game should go ahead.

“We’re all a bit numb at the moment. I get the feeling that Phillip would want the game to go ahead but if the individuals don’t feel up it, then so be it.”

The four—test series against India is due to start next Thursday in Brisbane.

Images of Hughes collapsing face first at the SCG were broadcast almost instantly across Australia, and messages of support have flowed in from around the world. Satellite TV trucks and dozens of news crews have reported regular updates on Hughes’ condition from outside the hospital.

The injury sparked debate about short—pitch bowling in the game, the level of protection offered by helmets that first came into common use at the test level in the late 1970s, and the seemingly slow reaction time of the ambulance service as Hughes was treated on the field.

Bouncers, where a fast bowler aims to push the batsman back toward the stumps with a ball that lands halfway down the pitch and rears up above chest or head height, are still a regular and acceptable part of the game.

The International Cricket Council revised its laws on short—pitch bowling in the early 1990s, putting restrictions on the number of short—pitch balls allowed per over to stamp out bowlers merely using the delivery to intimidate batsmen.

Former test bowler Brett Lee said Abbott did not deserve blame for the incident.

“You’re always on edge bowling fast or being out there batting,” Lee said. “When you see something as shocking as this you really feel for Phil. I know first—hand that no one goes out there to try and maim a batsman.”

Speaking on Australian radio, cricket great Shane Warne called it a freak accident.

“It’s a tough situation for everyone,” Warne said. “You just think about how many lives the helmet has saved over the years. This is just one of those things.”

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