Cricket Australia confirms that Phillip Hughes, former Test batsman, has passed away.

Hughes was initially injured when he was struck by a ball during a domestic match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Playing for South Austrlia in a Sheffield Shield match, Hughes was hit by a short-pitched delivery from fast bowler Sean Abbott.

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Even though Hughes tried to avoid the ball, it ended up making contact with his head as it bounced up at him. It struck the lower part of his head.

Afterwards, he was left with a severe injury. He fell face-first to the ground and was rushed to the hospital via ambulance.

Previously, he remained in the intensive care unit in an induced coma.

Out of respect for Hughes, Cricket Australia (CA) called off the current round of Sheffield Shield matches. News of the accident stunned the global cricket community and prompted a huge wave of sympathy for Hughes.

Now, just two days after the fatal accident, Hughes has passed away.

Doctors said that the blow ruptured an artery in his neck which lead to a brain hemorrhage. They called it a "very rare and very freakish" chain of events.

Tribute for the former Test batsman have been pouring in since then.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said that, while the word "tragedy" is used often in sports, the freak accident that Hughes suffered is a real-life tragedy.

He would go on to add that Hughes played 26 Test matches for his country, and that he will be sadly missed and forever remembered.

In a press conference at Sydney's St. Vincent's Hospital, Australian captain Michael Clarke read a statement from Hughes' family saying that they were feeling devastated with the situation.

"Cricket was Phillip's life and we as a family shared that love of the game with him ... we love you," Clarke said on their behalf.

Even the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott said that Hughes' death had shocked and dismayed millions of Australians.

TagsCricket Australia, Phillip Hughes, Passed Away