Australia batsman Phil Hughes is fighting for his life in intensive care after being struck on the head by a ball during a domestic cricket match.

He misjudged a bouncer bowled by New South Wales fast bowler Sean Abbott and was struck on the helmet before collapsing to the ground.

The 25-year-old collapsed face first onto the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch despite the bouncer cannoning into his protective helmet, and required mouth to mouth resuscitation pitchside. 

He has had emergency surgery, was placed in an induced coma and remains in a critical condition. His family and Australia captain Michael Clarke are at the hospital with him.