Australian cricketers (from left) Brad Haddin, Steve Smith and Moises Henriques on their way to visit Phil Hughes, at St Vincent’s Hospital, in Sydney, on Wednesday. Hughes, who suffered a head injury during a Sheffield Shield match on Tuesday, remained critical. As the 25-year-old’s family and friends wished for his speedy recovery, Cricket Australia, as a mark of respect, abandoned the remaining Sheffield Shield round matches. So, a bat and ball are seen lying forlorn at the Melbourne Cricket Ground — the venue of the match between Victoria and Western Australia — on Wednesday. (Getty Images)

Calcutta/Sydney: Australia cricketer Phil Hughes was still fighting for his life on Wednesday, as family and friends kept vigil at his hospital bedside.

Hughes remains in an induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery on Tuesday, when he was struck in the head by a bouncer, a devastating blow that experts likened to the trauma experienced by car crash victims.

The 25-year-old underwent further scans on Wednesday morning but medical staff at Sydney’s St Vincent’s hospital did not disclose the results.

“Phillip Hughes remains in a critical condition in St Vincent’s hospital, after being struck in the head while batting for South Australia against NSW at the SCG on Tuesday. He will have scans and a further update will be provided when the results of those scans are known,” Australia cricket team doctor Peter Brukner said in a statement issued by Cricket Australia.

Hughes needed CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after he collapsed at the Sydney Cricket Ground when he was struck in the back of the head by a short-pitched delivery.

He was rushed to the nearby hospital and immediately underwent an operation to relieve the pressure on his brain.

Peter Larkins, one of Australia’s leading sports physicians, said people who suffer serious injuries can remain comatose for days but can still make full recoveries.

“While it’s an extraordinary injury in cricket, such head trauma injuries are seen in high speed car crashes all the time and there are some miracle stories of full recoveries,” Larkins said.

The cricketing community remains in a state of shock with players from around the world sending their well wishes to Hughes. Members of the Australian national team, including captain Michael Clarke, spent hours at his hospital bed, comforting the stricken player’s mother and sister.

As a sign of respect, Cricket Australia (CA) called off the entire round of matches in the country’s domestic first-class competition.

CA’s executive GM of team performance, Pat Howard, said in a statement: “We’ve spoken to players and the ACA, and given how players across the country are feeling right now, it’s just not the day to be playing cricket and we understand that.

“We are continuing to offer all players and match officials counselling and support at this difficult time.

“Phillip Hughes continues to receive the best possible medical care.”

Under CA’s Playing Conditions, one point will be given to each team in an abandoned match. CA has offered counselling to players who witnessed the incident, including pacer Sean Abbott, who bowled the ball that reared up and struck Hughes. “Sean will have all the support he needs around him,” CA chief executive James Sutherland said.