Cricket Australia says it's offering counselling for Australian and Sheffield Shield players following the injury to Phillip Hughes.
As the cricketing community rallies around Phillip Hughes, many thoughts are with NSW all-rounder Sean Abbott who delivered the ball that struck the SA batsman.
Hughes, 25, is fighting for his life after being struck on the lower back of the neck by an Abbott delivery during the second session of South Australia's Sheffield Shield match with NSW on Tuesday.
Abbott, a former teammate of Hughes with the Blues, was one of the first NSW players to attend to the South Australian opener.
Cricket Australia says it's offering counselling for Australian and Sheffield Shield players following the injury to Hughes.
Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said players and support staff are suffering.
"Obviously it's difficult for them," he told reporters on Wednesday.
"They're all very close to Phil, he's a really popular guy.
"Not just here in Australia but around the world."
Mr Sutherland said everyone was feeling for Hughes and Abbott.
"Like everyone .. there's not very nice feelings at the moment.
"We've got a great support team around each of our state teams but also Cricket Australia.
"They'll have all the counselling and other support they need right now."
Messages from the cricket community flowed on social media for both Hughes and Abbott.
Former international Dean Jones tweeted: "Feeling for Phil Hughes after being hit. He is not in a good way! Stay strong @seanabbot77 ... Not your fault young man"
While former Australian cricketer Nathan Bracken wrote: "Thoughts are with Sean Abbott as well."
Former former Australian Test cricketer Bryce McGain said Hughes and Abbott are good friends.
"They've been close mates all the way through," he told ABC on Wednesday.
"Phil Hughes started his cricket with NSW as a teenager - all these boys grew up together.
"It's a shock for them all."
Immediatley after Tuesday's accident Abbott was seen cradling the injured batsman.
"It says a lot about Sean doesn't it," Mr Sutherland told Austereo radio on Wednesday.
"Sean will have all the support he needs around him.
"I'm sure his teammates and everyone don't feel in any way ill of him for what happened.
"It's a freak, freak incident that's happened."
Mr Sutherland said the highest level of support was being offered to Abbott.
