Former Wombourne batsman reovering after knocked out by ball similar to that which killed Phil Hughes

The Aussie, who played in the Birmingham League in 2012, was batting in a grade cricket game in Sydney when he tried to hook a bouncer from bowler Cameron Nupier and was struck to the back of his neck, underneath the helmet.

"His neck was swelling up and we thought 'oh God'," Northern Districts club president Mike Langford said.

Hughes was taken to hospital for tests and CT scans but was cleared of any major damage and released from hospital.

A former junior team-mate of Phillip Hughes, Daniel Hughes has played for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield this summer and has been a regular in the Sydney Thunder BBL line-up. His girlfriend, TV reporter Erin Molan, said Hughes a huge lump on the side of his head.

"I got a call saying he's been hit in the head with a ball, he's collapsed and there's an ambulance on the way, you've got to get here," Molan said. "I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life."

"He's got the lump on the side of his head the size of a cricket ball, its horrendous. It's unbelievable and given their same surname it's quite terrifying. Daniel played a lot of cricket growing up with Phil through the juniors. We're all just glad he's OK."

Northern District coach Paul Byrom said it was a shock for everyone. "I heard from him late last night. He still felt pretty rough, which is to be expected," he said.

Former Test paceman Nathan Bracken, who is suing Cricket Australia, over what he claims was the mismanagement of his injuries during his playing career, took to Twitter to write: "This is why Cricket Australia needs to have an injury insurance protection scheme like every other workplace".