Phillip Hughes dead: Tributes pour in from sporting world after Australian batsman dies after serious head injury

Twitter has been flooded with messages of disbelief and shock with the news that Hughes passed away two days after being hit on the head by a cricket ball

Phil Hughes was given oxygen and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the pitch by a team doctor (Getty Images)

The sporting world has been thrown into a state of shock after it was announced on Thursday morning that Australian batsman Phil Hughes had died after suffering a severe head injury in a domestic cricket match.

Hughes was struck on the back left side of his head by a bouncer from Sean Abbott in a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales. The 25-year-old initially staggered before collapsing on the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch, and it has since been revealed that he suffered a ruptured artery that led to his fatality.

Twitter was immediately flooded in messages of disbelief and shock that Hughes had died playing the sport he loved so dearly. Former Australia internationals Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist were among those who posted tributes to Hughes, while Cricket Australia, the England cricket team and his former coach Darren Lehmann all expressed their sadness at the shocking news.

Below is some of the tweets sent out from the cricketing world and other famous names in sport, such as Matt Giteau and Mark Webber.

Australia head coach Darren Lehmann:

Australia cricketer Steve Smith:

Former Australia cricketer Shane Warne:

Former Australia bowler and Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie:

England Cricket Team:

Ex-Formula One driver Mark Webber:

Former England all-rounder and TV commentator Ian Botham:

England bowler Steven Finn:

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen:

Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist:

Australian rugby union international Matt Giteau:

"It's been a very difficult few days, we appreciate all the support we have received from family, friends, players, Cricket Australia and the general public.

"Cricket was Phillip's life and we as a family shared that love of the game with him. We would like to thank all the medical and nursing staff at St Vincent's Hospital and Cricket New South Wales medical staff for their great efforts with Phillip.

"We love you."