HAMPSHIRE cricketers have joined in a global swell of support for their former teammate Phillip Hughes, who remains critical 24 hours after being hit by a bouncer.

The Australia batsman is fighting for his life after being struck on the back of the head in a Sheffield Shield match.

Despite wearing a helmet, the 25-year-old – who played five games for Hampshire in 2010 – collapsed face first onto the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch, after playing and missing at a bouncer from Sean Abbott.

Hughes, on 63 at the time, put a hand on his knee after being struck before falling face first to the ground.

He was then given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and oxygen on the boundary line after being stretchered off the pitch, and was then taken to nearby St Vincent’s hospital, where he is in a critical condition.

The match between New South Wales and Hughes’ South Australia side was postponed as the news sent shockwaves through the cricket world.

Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams, who opened with Hughes during his fellow left-hander’s brief stint with the county, said: “It’s the worst fear for any cricketer. It looks like he was through the shot when and was hit on an area that is hard to protect.

“It takes me back to my days at short leg, where I was once hit on the helmet by Marcus Trescothick. The helmet had a huge dent in it - it saved my life.

“Hopefully Hughesy will be ok. He was a great lad to have in the changing room, a dasher who worked hard. I don’t like to talk about him in the past tense, it’s only because it’s so many years since he was with us. All that matters is his health.”

Hampshire Cricket tweeted: “The thoughts & prayers of everybody at @hantscricket are with former Hampshire batsman Phil Hughes. We're all wishing him a speedy recovery.”

Other former Hampshire teammates of Hughes gave him their support on social media.

Michael Carberry wrote: “My thoughts and prayers go out to my ex team mate Phil Hughes. #tragicnews #keepfightingmybrother.”

James Vince tweeted: “Terrible news about Phil Hughes. Thoughts with him and his family. Wishing a full and speedy recovery.”

Danny Briggs wrote: “Thoughts are with Phil Hughes.”

And Dimi Mascarenhas tweeted: “My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, fight hard mate #PhilHughes Also feeling for Sean Abbott and the rest of the players.”

Hughes, who also played for Middlesex in 2009 and Worcestershire in 2012, has been in and out of Australia’s Test side since making his debut five years ago.

He has not featured in over a year but was in line for a potential recall for the first Test against India next month, with captain Michael Clarke a serious doubt with a hamstring injury.

His last appearance for his national side came last month in a one-day international against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann tweeted: “Our thoughts and prayers are with phil and his family! He is a great fighter and a great young man!”

Hughes’ fellow Australia international David Warner was in the field when the incident occurred and he rode alongside Hughes when he was wheeled off the field on a medicab.

He wrote on Twitter: “Thoughts are with my little mate Hughsy and his family. He is a fighter and a champion and he will get through this. Praying for you buddy.”