Phillip Hughes - An Australian cricket player has died of a rare and freakish injury two days after being struck at the back of the head with a ball.

Phillip Hughes, the 25 years old Test batsman, was hit by a ball on the top corner of the neck during a New South Australia cricket match against South Wales on Tuesday.  

Phillip Hughes was struck with a short-pitched delivery from Sean Abbott, a 22 years old New South Australia bowler during the game at the Sydney Cricket Ground earlier in the week.

Phillip Hughes was reportedly resuscitated on the pitch before being transported to the St Vincent's Hospital, where he later died. He had undergoing surgery and was reportedly placed in induced coma.

"It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away. He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday," Peter Brukner, the Australian team doctor said. "He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends.".

Phillip Hughes is said to have died of a very rare vertebral artery dissection, which subsequently led to subarachnoid haemorrhage. Dr. Brukner said the condition that caused Hughes death is 'incredibly rare.' "If you look in the literature there are only about 100 cases ever reported," Dr. Brukner said.

Meanwhile, the head of Trauma at St Vincent's hospital, Dr. Tony Grabs, also described Hughes injury as catastrophic and very freakish. Grabs said in the condition was so rare that it had never being treated in their hospitals entire history.

Many critics have slammed the ambulance's response time to attend to Phillip Hughes. Paramedics reportedly arrived at the pitch after 15 minutes and after two triple -0 calls were made to them. 

Reports indicate that Sean Abbott, the NSW cricketer whose throw struck Hughes was mortified. He visited the hospital and spoke with Hughes sister Megan as well as with Australian team captain Michael Clarke.

"Obviously what Sean's gone through is an incredibly traumatic experience, as it has been for everyone who was present on the field on that day, and Sean is receiving all possible support from Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia," Dr Brukner said.

Phillip Hughes was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland said the entire organization's priority at the moment was to provide his family, friends and colleagues with support at this difficult time. He also added that there would definitely be an investigation into how to better protect cricketers.

"It's important to realize that yes we certainly need to review all our procedures and equipment but this is an incredibly rare type of injury," Dr. Brukner said.

The news of Phillip Hughes's injury and death has since gone viral on the Internet. Fans have sent tributes via social media to the cricketer and his family.