Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes was battling to regain his place on the national Test side when he was felled by a bouncer at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

His mother and sister were in the stands watching. Two days later, on Thursday, the 25-year-old died from his injuries in a Sydney hospital, surrounded by family and friends. He was due to celebrate his 26th birthday on Sunday.

The popular young batsman played 26 Tests for his country but never secured a regular place in the national team despite some 9,000 first-class runs.