LONDON: The shockwave that hit Australian cricket on Tuesday has made it all the way to England, with the touring Wallabies sending their well-wishes to Phil Hughes in the wake of his sickening injury, and Ashes rivals uniting in support.
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Hughes was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital after a short-pitched delivery struck his skull while batting for South Australia in a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.
The incident has created news worldwide with an outpouring of support for Hughes from rivals and friends across different sports.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika found out about the news while waiting to do an interview with a Sydney radio station.
"It's terrible … I just want to say for any person, you can probably relate to professional sportsmen, something like this can change everything so quickly," Cheika said.
"We're thinking of the family, I'm not fully aware of what the condition us. Just praying he makes a full recovery as soon as possible. The guys already knew about it.
"You also feel for the lad that was bowling, the whole thing is unfortunate."
The Wallabies were rocked by Pat McCabe's career-ending neck injury earlier this year.
McCabe broke his neck three times in two years while playing for Australia and decided to quit rugby after the third occasion in a clash against the All Blacks.
But McCabe avoided surgery and has suffered no long-term damage. Cheika said the Wallabies were saddened by news of Hughes' injury.
England opening bowlers Stuart Broad and James Anderson spend most of the time trying to terrorise Australian batsmen, but joined the chorus of well-wishers.
"Awful news about Phil Hughes," Broad tweeted. "Fight hard, everyone's thoughts are with you."
Anderson followed with: "Sickening to hear. Praying for him and his family."
Hughes, who was playing for South Australia against his old state NSW, was felled by the bouncer from fast bowler Sean Abbott. The ball struck him on the left side of his head, behind his ear.
After a few seconds delay, the 25-year-old put his hands on his knees, looked towards his feet, and collapsed face-first onto the SCG pitch.
Dr Orchard administered CPR and paramedics intubated him and took him to hospital in a waiting ambulance.
