Test contender Phil Hughes is fighting for his life following emergency surgery after he was hit in the head by a bouncer at the SCG.

Hughes needed to be revived by paramedics on the ground and was in an induced coma and intensive care on Tuesday night after surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

He remained in a critical condition at St Vincent’s Hospital and the outcome of the surgery is not expected to be known until Wednesday or Thursday.

The 25-year-old former Test batsman was transported to hospital in a critical condition after being struck on the lower back of the neck by a Sean Abbott delivery during the second session of South Australia’s Sheffield Shield match with NSW on Tuesday.

He was struck when he mistimed a hook shot and after falling face-first to the ground, NSW fielders, including good friend David Warner, raced to his aid.

After he was taken from the field in a medicab, paramedics performed CPR and worked on Hughes for 40 minutes on the sidelines.

A medical helicopter landed on the SCG field but it was not needed and he was transported to the nearby St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst.

“He’s in ICU now, they’ve finished the surgeries but he’s still in a critical condition,” St Vincent’s spokesman David Faktor told AAP.

“Now they’ll just monitor him.”

His mother and sister were at the game and were by his side in hospital.

Australian Test captain Michael Clarke also rushed to the hospital to be with his former Australian teammate.

Australian team coach Darren Lehmann was among many in the cricket fraternity to send messages of support for Hughes on social media.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with phil and his family! He is a great fighter and a great young man!” said Lehmann on Twitter.

Cricket NSW said its immediate concern was for the welfare of him and his family.

“Players and staff from both South Australia and New South Wales are obviously very concerned for Phil’s health and, like Phil, are receiving appropriate support,” Cricket NSW chief executive Andrew Jones said.

“Phil grew up in NSW and is a former Blue and is held in the highest regard by his current and former teammates.”

Play was called off for the day with South Australia at 2-136 and the match was later abandoned.

Hughes is in his third season with South Australia after spending five years with NSW, and players and officials from both sides have been offered counselling.

Abbott also had plenty of support among the cricket world.

“Our thoughts are also with Sean Abbott,” tweeted former Test great Glenn McGrath, while Adam Gilchrist tweeted “and stay strong Sean Abbott.”

Cricket Australia chief executive Sutherland said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Phil Hughes right now. We are also thinking of his family, teammates and friends in the Australian cricket family.

“His welfare is our highest priority. We’re also naturally concerned about all of those involved in today’s game and will be giving them our utmost support.”

Hughes made his Test debut in 2009 and has played 26 Tests for Australia, compiling 1535 runs at an average of 32.66.

With Australian selector Mark Waugh looking on in the SCG stands, Hughes had put together a composed 63 off 161 as he attempted to earn a Test recall for next week’s series opener against India.

Before the match he was considered a leading contender to replace Clarke in the Australian batting line up for next week’s first Test against India with the Test captain struggling to recover from a hamstring injury.