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"It sends shudders through you": Cricket boss shocked by Hughes' injury

25th November, 2014
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Cricket boss James Sutherland has described Phil Hughes’ injury as shocking news that sent a shudder through him.

The Cricket Australia chief executive said the SA batsman was receiving the best-possible care.

Hughes is in a critical condition after being hit by a bouncer from NSW paceman Sean Abbott while batting in the Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.

The left-hander was airlifted to St Vincent’s Hospital, where he was undergoing surgery.

“We’re all in shock,” Sutherland said outside CA’s Melbourne offices late on Tuesday afternoon.

“From our perspective, pleasingly, there was medical attention that he was able to receive immediately at the ground.

“Now we hope that whatever the procedure is that he’s going through, he comes through in the right way and he gets the best-possible care and recovery.”

Sutherland, himself a former first-class cricketer, said he received a call just after lunch with the news about Hughes’ injury.

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“It sends shudders through you a little bit … it makes a lot of things flash through your mind,” Sutherland said.

“The most important thing right now is about Phil and his health and safety.

“Our thoughts and prayers are obviously with him and with his family and friends.”

Sutherland added he did not know when more information about Hughes’ condition would be available.

“All we know is that it’s serious and he’s fortunate to be in the best-possible place right now with experts all around him,” he said.

Sutherland said there would be plenty of counselling available to Hughes’ teammates and fellow cricketers.

The CA boss said he had received a message of support from the New Zealand team on tour in the UAE.

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“He’s a really popular guy not just here in Australia but around the world,” Sutherland said.

“Everyone knows and understands the way he plays his cricket.

“He’s fiercely determined, extremely proud of his achievements and I guess he’s a quiet achiever.

“He has the respect of all his teammates.”

Sutherland said there were strict health and safety regulations in junior cricket about players wearing helmets for batting and wicketkeeping.

He added CA was in the process of reviewing its guidelines about concussion management at higher levels.

“This only brings home the importance of thinking that through,” he said.

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