THE death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, after being struck by a bouncer from fellow Australian fast bowler Sean Abbott, is a huge tragedy for the game of cricket (Echo, Dec 1).

The cause was a freak accident. Hughes was hit on the back of the neck just below his protective helmet when mistiming a hook shot.

My thoughts go out to his family, to his fellow Australian team-mates and, most of all, to Sean Abbott, the bowler who delivered the bouncer.

He must be devastated.

It makes you wonder, before the invention of the helmet, why no batsman was seriously injured facing fast, hostile bowling.

I think this death is probably the worst tragedy to hit the game. Has any cricketer died after being hit on the head in the past?

If anyone knows perhaps they will write in and let me know.

Mick Peacock, Coxhoe.