Hospital and ambulance officials said the Test batsman, who was playing for South Australia against New South Wales, was in a critical condition.

He was fighting for a chance to be picked to play for Australia in the first Test next week when he was hit on the head by a bouncer during the Sheffield Shield match.

His collapse was likened to that of a boxer being hit with a knock-out blow, in which he stood still for a moment before collapsing face-first to the ground.

The batsman cowers after being struck in the head by the short ball

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