Shane Warne has lead a flood of support from Australian cricketing greats for injured batsman Phillip Hughes.

Hughes, 25, is fighting for his life after being struck by a bouncer from NSW all-rounder Sean Abbott during the second session of South Australia’s Sheffield Shield match at the SCG on Tuesday.

Warne, who is currently in London, said the critical injury had rocked the wider cricket family.

“It’s a tough situation for everyone,” Warne told Triple M.

“It’s one of those terrible freak accidents.”

The Redbacks batsman’s injury was not the result of poorly designed helmets, he said.

“You just think about how many lives the helmet has saved over the years – this is just one of those things,” he said.

It was easy to forget the dangers of competitive cricket given how effortless the skilful players made it look, Warne explained.

“But I promise you … You know when you go out there you could get hit in the head,” he said.

“(And even) when you play in the backyard with little Johnny … it hurts.”

Meanwhile, fellow former Test player Matthew Hayden said the shocking incident shouldn’t spell the end for the bouncer.

“If you take that away from the game, it takes away that combative nature of cricket,” he said.

He said professional players had to resign themselves to the inherent dangers of sport.

“That’s why mum when she stands in the backyard is fretting every time,” he said.

“She knows that it’s something that’s going to be broken, she just hopes it’s not a little boy or a little girl.”

Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath sent prayers and well wishes to both Hughes and Abbott on Twitter.

“Dear Lord, if (there was) ever the need for footprints in the sand, it’s now,” Gilchrist tweeted.

Australia skipper Michael Clarke is back at Hughes’ bedside after returning to Sydney’s St Vincent Hospital early Wednesday morning.