Doug Bollinger denies claims he told Phillip Hughes 'I'm going to kill you' during match in which Australian died

A coroner's inquest into the death of Hughes opened on Monday and will review the circumstances surrounding the incident throughout the coming week

Hughes was hit on the back of the neck by a rising delivery when batting for South Australia on November 25 2014. He died two days later from a brain haemorrhage caused by a torn vertebral artery. (Getty)

Cricketer Doug Bollinger has denied allegations he told Phillip Hughes “I’m going to kill you” on the day he was fatally injured during an Australian domestic match nearly two years ago.

Hughes was hit on the back of the neck by a rising delivery when batting for South Australia on November 25 2014. He died two days later from a brain haemorrhage caused by a torn vertebral artery.

A coroner's inquest into his death opened on Monday and, over the next week, the New South Wales Coroner's Court will review the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the speed of the emergency response and the nature of play on the day.

Counsel for the Hughes family said concerns had been raised about the number of bouncers - deliveries which typically land mid-pitch and rise quickly to head or shoulder height - that were bowled to Hughes in the match as well as some of the verbal abuse.

It was notably reported that Bollinger, a New South Wales fast bowler, had told the batsman "I'm going to kill you" - a claim that three witnesses rejected on the first day of the inquest.

"I don't recall saying that," Bollinger told the inquest. "I may have but I don't think so."

Brad Haddin, captain of the New South Wales team, told the inquest he didn't hear the alleged comments and dismissed complaints about the number of short-pitched balls that were bowled at Hughes, saying "the game was played in a good spirit."

Giving evidence, Haddin described the moment Hughes was struck by the ball, bowled by Shaun Abbott.

Spectators pay tribute to former cricketer Phillip Hughes at eight minutes past four during day one of the Third Test match between Australia and New Zealand at Adelaide Oval on November 27, 2015 (Getty)

"It was like something I've never, ever witnessed before in my life when he fell down," he said. "It was the noise that he let out, the groan, and the way that he fell straight down motionless, without trying to break his fall."

The inquest has already determined that Hughes’ death was “inevitable.” In her opening address, Kristina Stern SC said Hughes's death "appears to have been inevitable from the point of impact".

NSW State Coroner Michael Barnes added that cricket carried an inherent risk, and the player's death was "completely unexpected and shocking".

"Quite clearly, the death was a terrible accident," Mr Barnes said.

Bollinger denied claims he told Hughes "I'm going to kill you" during the match in which the Australian lost his life (Getty)

"That does not mean cricket cannot be made safer."

A previous report, commissioned by Cricket Australia, said protective helmets should be compulsory for batsman facing fast and medium-paced bowling.

But it said helmets meeting the newest safety standards would not have saved Hughes' life.

James Henderson, Hughes' former manager, said the inquest would be "very difficult" for the Hughes family.

"They are hoping that perhaps there will be a positive outcome out of Phil's death as we go through this next five days inside the coroners' court," he said.

Additional reporting by Reuters.