A DECADE ago former Worcestershire cricketer, Phil Hughes died during a cricket match. 

The Australian was just 25 when he died on November, 27 2014. He suffered a vertebral artery dissection that led to a subarachnoid haemorrhage, after being hit by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match at Sydney Cricket Ground. 

In the decade since, safety measures have been tightened, with the widespread use of a neck guard on helmets, as well as the introduction of new concussion protocols and replacement players.

Hughes played for Worcestershire County Cricket Club during the 2012 season. 

Speaking to Worcester News at the time of the accident, then Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: "When he was with us as our overseas player in 2012 he was thought of as one of the Worcester lads. 

"He's a very easy going and determined character."

When the freak accident occurred, Hughes had batted in the match for three hours, and had scored 63 runs. 

Hughes made his Test debut at the age of 20 against South Africa in 2009 and had played 26 Tests for Australia up to that point. 

"Phil is one of the most popular overseas professionals to have ever played for Worcester," said fellow Australian and former Worcestershire bowling coach Matt Mason, speaking at the time of the incident. "He loved the club. "

England cricketer Ben Stokes took time out from England's final preparations for the first test in New Zealand to reflect on the event, he said: "It was an incredibly sad moment for cricket. Something like that happening out on the field is something that you just never thought would happen. 

"It’s such a sad thing to think about someone out on the field doing what they love being so unfortunate to lose their life.

"It might give you a bit more of an understanding as to why we speak the way we do, you know, that there’s bigger things than results. When you think of it like that: a lot worse things could happen than losing a game of cricket."

The anniversary will be commemorated by Cricket Australia with flags at half-mast, black armbands and minutes silences observed.