Kent captain Rob Key led the tributes to Australian batsman Phil Hughes, who passed away on Thursday, two days after being struck in the head by a ball in Sydney.

South Australia skipper Hughes, 25, was hit by a bouncer from New South Wales all-rounder Sean Abbott at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

The blow, suffered despite the former Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire batsman wearing a helmet, led to the former Test star being rushed to a nearby hospital and undergoing emergency surgery, though he never regained consciousness and news of his passing was released in the early hours of Thursday, UK time.

Key led the tributes via twitter on Thursday, saying: "Desperate, desperate news about Phil Hughes. Can't imagine what his family must be going through," while Kent talisman Darren Stevens said the news left him "feeling sick inside."

Former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones - who left Kent this summer - said: "RIP Phil Hughes. Honour and a pleasure to have had (the) chance to meet and play against you."

Kent chief executive Jamie Clifford tweeted: "Words are not enough. Greatly saddened by the tragic news of Phil Hughes' death. All my thoughts are with his family," while assistant coach Matt Walker said it was 'just the most awful news.'

Current vice-captain Sam Northeast - currently playing Down Under in Brisbane during the English winter - said it was an 'extremely sad day.'

He tweeted: "Devastating news to hear Phil Hughes has passed away. Thoughts are with his family."

Aussie-born bowler Mitch Claydon - based in Sydney during the winter - tweeted: "Absolutely gutted. Very sad day. Thoughts are with his family and friends."

Spinner Adam Riley - on England Performance Programme duty with teammate Sam Billings in Sri Lanka - described it as "one of cricket's darkest days," while Billings said the news was 'devastating.'

Batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond said he 'can't believe' the news and that it "shouldn't be happening."

He added: "All the best to Abbott who has to live with that when it wasn't his fault. Just the sport we play."

All-rounder Ben Harmison added: "Feel so sorry for Sean Abbott too. Can't begin to imagine how he is feeling."

Batsman Fabian Cowdrey tweeted: "The sport we play is a game of small margins, but no margin should be responsible for a life."

Former Kent overseas star Doug Bollinger had been offered counselling after witnessing the incident.

The NSW paceman, 33, who played for Kent between April and August before returning Down Under, had been taken out of the attack three overs before the incident and has been reported to have been supporting 22-year-old Abbott since the incident during a Sheffield Shield match which was later abandoned.