Cricket community rallies behind bowler Abbott

London, Nov 27 (IANS) The cricket community has lent his support to bowler Sean Abbott, left distraught after his bouncer hit Phillip Hughes on the head, leading to his death Thursday.

The young pace bowler delivered a bouncer which hit Hughes on the back, lower left side of his head during a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground Tuesday.

"Spare a thought for poor Sean Abbott too.He will need all the support possible to help him try and get through this #CricketFamily #CricketAUS," Stewart tweeted.

Former England captain Ian Botham also supported Abbott.

"A very sad day for the world of cricket. So sorry for Phillip Hughes and his family. Spare a thought for Sean Abbott," he wrote on Twitter.

Current England cricketer Ian Bell tweeted: "Absolutely devastated to hear that Phil has passed away. Thoughts and prayers with his family and friends. #RIPPhillipHughes". This was followed up with: "Please spare a thought for Sean Abbott too. Horrendous".

Australian cricketers, past and present, also backed Abbott.

"And stay strong Sean Abbott. #support," Adam Gilchrist wrote.

Glenn Mcgrath said "Our thoughts are also with Sean Abbott".

"Thoughts are with Sean Abbott as well," Nathan Bracken wrote.

"Feeling for Phil Hughes after being hit. He is not in a good way! Stay strong @seanabbott77 .. Not your fault young man. #BupaSS #NSWvSA," Dean Jones tweeted.

Hughes fractured his skull and suffered catastrophic bleeding in his brain after being hit by Abbott's bouncer.

Hughes was carried off the ground on a stretcher and treated on the boundary before being rushed to the St. Vincent's Hospital where he underwent surgery. The match was abandoned following the incident.

The left-hander Hughes was in an induced coma at the Sydney hospital after undergoing surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said Hughes had never regained consciousness following his injury.