The cricketing world is rallying around bowler Sean Abbott amid fears he may never play again in the wake of batsman Phillip Hughes's death.
Abbott's ball struck Hughes in the neck during a domestic match in Australia and the 25-year-old died on Thursday.
The Australia captain Michael Clarke and Hughes's sister Megan spent time comforting Abbott, 22, at St Vincent's Hospital.
He is receiving counselling from Cricket Australia.
As the sport began to mourn the death of one of cricket's brightest young stars, concerns have been raised over the future of Abbott.
Ex-England bowler David Lawrence, who hit West Indies' batsman Phil Simmons on the temple with a delivery in 1988, said: "I know what Sean is going through.
"My thoughts go out to him as well - because whether he will come back from this or not, personally I don't think he'll play cricket again."
Phillip Hughes, batting for South Australia, was hit in the neck by a short-pitched ball on Tuesday. He never regained consciousness.Australian team doctor Peter Brukner explained Hughes died as a result of "vertebral artery dissection".His family paid tribute to a "much-loved son and brother".Cricket Australia is "completely devastated" at the "freak accident".Emotional Australia captain Michael Clarke "held bedside vigil for two days" - according to the Sydney Morning Herald.Flags flown at half-mast at Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground.Tour match between a Cricket Australia XI and India, scheduled this week, has been cancelled.Australia rugby union team set to wear black armbands against England at Twickenham on Saturday.Golfers including Aussie Adam Scott to wear black ribbons as a "sign of solidarity" during Australian Open.Prime Minister Tony Abbott described Hughes' death as a 'shocking aberration'.
Hughes collapsed to the ground after being hit by Abbott's bouncer during a Sheffield Shield game against New South Wales on Tuesday.
He had been wearing a helmet but the ball missed it, striking Hughes at the top of the neck and causing a vertebral artery dissection,(external)which resulted in a "massive bleed" on the brain.
Abbott was pictured in the aftermath of the incident cradling the batsman's head while other players waved medical staff on to the pitch.
Retired fast bowler Lawrence is concerned that Abbott's career could be ended by the tragic events.
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