KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) — A minute of silence will be observed before the start of the third round of the Professional Cricket League (PCL), as a form of tribute to emerging Australian batsman Philip Hughes who died yesterday, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has announced.

Hughes, who was in a critical condition in a Sydney hospital, passed away two days after being hit on the head by a short ball from Sean Abbott during South Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with New South Wales.

A WICB statement has called on all players and match officials to wear a black armband during their matches which begin today.

“To honour the memory of our fallen colleague and show solidarity with our friends in Australia, we have asked that a minute’s silence be observed prior to the start of all matches in the third round of the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional Four-Day Tournament tomorrow — and that all players and match officials wear a black armband during the match,” the WICB statement said.

“This is truly a tragic loss of a fantastic young player who promised to deliver so much for Australia and who has already done so much in proving his pedigree as a top flight batsman on the international stage.”

The WICB said that it was extremely sad to hear of the passing of the 25-year-old cricketer following his injury.

“It was with a sense of shock and sorrow that we learned of the death of Philip Hughes and I know that these feelings are shared by all who knew him and played with or against him,” WICB President Dave Cameron said.

“There is little one can say at such a time, but we would like to express our very sincere sympathy to his family, friends and all those involved with the game in Australia.”