Sad update regarding Phillip Hughes

Update

The cricket community worldwide is in mourning today following the death of Phillip Joel Hughes, aged 25.

Cricket Australia announced the news with a statement from team doctor Peter Brukner. 

Read more here.

Earlier

Phillip Hughes remains in a critical condition in intensive care, with family and friends including Australia captain Michael Clarke by his bedside.

There has been no further update to his condition since 2pm Wednesday afternoon when the report from the Australia team doctor Peter Brukner was that his condition remained unchanged.

Clarke arrived early at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney today and has been joined by others who are not just teammates and colleagues but friends as the devastated Australian cricketers continue to rally around Hughes. 

Image Id: ~/media/B2C4FAF6810E4AC3856BE41ED81014DB?w=100%25Michael Clarke and his wife Kyly visited Hughes in hospital // Channel 9

Players have been flying in from around the country today, including Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade who arrived early from Melbourne to be by Hughes' bedside.

Moises Henriques and Brad Haddin, who hugged Finch as he walked through the hospital doors, also arrived on Thursday morning to see Hughes.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann also visited Hughes and arrived a short while later at Cricket NSW headquarters. David Warner and his fiancée Candice Falzon have also been to see Hughes in hospital. 

Hughes has been in an induced coma at St Vincent's Hospital after being struck by a ball during South Australia's Sheffield Shield match with New South Wales at the SCG on Tuesday afternoon.

The 25-year-old underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain soon after his admission to hospital, with doctors saying it would take 24 to 48 hours before more was known.

Clarke arrived at the Darlinghurst hospital just after 6am. He had left the hospital just after midnight, following players such as Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Phil Jaques and Mitchell Starc.

Image Id: ~/media/22C6F6C2A7D444FF8EE6531324960A0CAaron Finch (left) and Darren Lehmann flew in to visit Hughes // Getty Images

Vice-captain Haddin, Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon and Henriques were among the stream of cricketers to visit Hughes in hospital on Wednesday, joining the Hughes family at the former Test player's bedside.

More of Hughes's Australian teammates are expected to arrive at the hospital throughout the day. The Test squad had been due to assemble in Brisbane this weekend ahead of next Thursday's first Test against India.

Hughes's life-threatening injuries have sent shock waves through the cricketing world, with messages of support pouring in from current and former Australian cricketers as well as players from around the world.

More: Cricket family's tributes for Hughes

Cricket Australia on Wednesday called off the entire round of Sheffield Shield matches out of respect for Hughes, in consultation with the players' union, the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA).

NSW and South Australian players and staff have all been offered counselling and the ACA is working to extend that to other state players.

Particular concern is being held for Sean Abbott, the 22-year-old NSW allrounder who delivered the ball which felled Hughes.

ACA chief executive officer Alistair Nicholson said Abbott was being closely monitored amid concern for his mental state and playing future.

More: Cricket rallies around Sean Abbott

Nicholson said at this stage Friday's tour match between a Cricket Australia XI and India at the Adelaide Oval, and the next round of Sheffield Shield matches, scheduled to begin the following Friday, would go ahead.