( CNN ) -- Australia cricket international Phil Hughes has died after being hit in the head by a ball on Tuesday . The 25-year old , who had been hoping to regain his place in the team for next week 's Test match against India , passed away on Thursday after failing to recover from an induced coma at a hospital in Sydney . The South Australia batsman , who would have turned 26 on Sunday , was fatally injured when hit by a `` bouncer , '' a short ball that bounces up towards the batsman 's torso , near his left ear -- the ball somehow evading the cricketer 's helmet as he swiveled to play a shot . Australian team doctor Peter Brukner told a press conference Thursday that Hughes suffered a `` massive bleed into his brain '' during the game on Tuesday afternoon . He said the ball hit the side of his neck and , `` as a result of that blow , his vertebral artery was compressed by the ball . That caused the artery to split and for bleeding to go up into the brain . And he had a massive bleed into his brain . This is frequently fatal at the time . '' But he said doctors on the scene , including a specialist who had been in the crowd , managed to resuscitate him . He was later taken to hospital where they made `` an intervention '' to release pressure on his brain . He was then put in an induced coma but failed to recover . Family devastated . At the same press conference , James Sutherland , the CEO of Cricket Australia , paid tribute to the young cricketer . `` Without doubt he was a rising star , with his best cricket ahead of him , '' he said . `` He was a hero to kids around the nation and particularly those around his home grounds of New South Wales . '' Michael Clarke , Australia 's Test captain , then read a short statement on behalf of Hughes ' family . `` We are devastated by the loss of our much-loved son and brother . '' `` It 's been a very difficult few days . We appreciate all the support we 've received from family , friends , players , Cricket Australia and the general public . `` Cricket was Phillip 's life , and we as a family shared that love of the game with him . `` We would like to thank all of the medical and nursing staff at St Vincent 's Hospital , and Cricket NSW medical staff for their great efforts with Phillip , we love you . '' Outpouring of emotion . His death has triggered an outpouring of emotion in Australia and among cricket enthusiasts the world over . A statement from the office of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott read : `` Phillip Hughes was a young man living out his dreams . `` His death is a very sad day for cricket and a heartbreaking day for his family . What happened has touched millions of Australians . `` For a young life to be cut short playing our national game seems a shocking aberration . `` He was loved , admired and respected by his teammates and by legions of cricket fans . `` Australians ' thoughts and prayers are with the Hughes family . '' Former England international Nick Compton told CNN his former friend had lived `` life to the full . '' Born in Macksville , New South Wales , Hughes was a talented sportsman who counted both cricket and rugby league among his attributes as a teenager .
South Australia batsman was fatally injured when hit by a `` bouncer '' 25 year old had been in a coma since being operated on earlier this week . Ball somehow evaded the cricketer 's helmet as he swiveled to play a shot . Australian prime minister 's office : His death is a very sad day for cricket .