ESSEX Cricket Club and its players have joined in the tributes to Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes after his tragic death.

The cricket world is in mourning after the death of Hughes, who would have been 26 on Sunday, two days after being struck on the head by a bouncer while batting for South Australia against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Essex and England star Ravi Bopara - who made 65 in England’s defeat to Sri Lanka in the first One Day International on Wednesday, just hours before the news broke - said: “This is the saddest day in the world of cricket...a young man gone too soon #RIPPhilHughes.”

Bopara also said people should spare a thought for bowler Sean Abbott whose bouncer hit Hughes on the back, lower left side of his head as he attempted a pull shot.

“Spare a thought for Sean Abbott,” continued Bopara. “Stay strong buddy...what an absolute tragedy.”

Essex Cricket Club announced that the scheduled release of the county fixtures for 2014/15 on Thursday had been postponed in wake of the tragedy.

The club said: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Phil Hughes has passed away. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family, friends and colleagues.”

Cricket Australia chief executive officer James Sutherland has described the death of Phillip Hughes as a "real-life tragedy".

Sutherland said: ''The word tragedy gets used far too often in sport but this freak accident is now a real-life tragedy.

''It's an understatement to say that we are completely devastated. Our grief runs deep and the impact of Phillip's loss is enormous but nothing compares to the loss felt by those closest to him.

''Phillip was a cherished son, brother, friend and team-mate. In these darkest of hours cricket puts its collective arms around the Hughes family."

Hughes, who was wearing a protective helmet, collapsed face first onto the pitch after being hit by a ball from Abbott.

He was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and oxygen on the boundary line after being carried off the pitch on a stretcher.

He was taken to Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital, where he underwent surgery and was being monitored in the intensive care unit.

Australian team doctor Peter Brukner said: "He never regained consciousness following his injury. He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends."

Hughes was well known to English fans both internationally and domestically after spells with Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire, as well as playing in the Indian Premier League.

Australia captain Michael Clarke, a close friend of Hughes, read out a statement on behalf of the Hughes family.

It read: "We're devastated by the loss of our much-loved son and brother Phillip.

"It's been a very difficult few days, we appreciate all the support we have received from family, friends, players, Cricket Australia and the general public.

"Cricket was Phillip's life and we as a family shared that love of the game with him. We would like to thank all the medical and nursing staff at St Vincent's Hospital and Cricket New South Wales medical staff for their great efforts with Phillip.

"We love you."