Tribute: A look back at the career achievements of Phillip Hughes

The left-hander was struck on the neck by a short ball from Sean Abbott while playing for South Australia against New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield on Tuesday.

After being rushed to hospital and undergoing surgery, Hughes remained in an induced coma until the worst was confirmed on Thursday when it was announced he had died as a result of his injuries.

Tributes have poured in from around the cricketing world, with the likes of Australia head coach Darren Lehmann and the country's leading Test-wicket taker Shane Warne expressing their sorrow.

Just three days short of his 26th birthday, Hughes has been taken tragically early, and it is worth remembering the special achievements of a man cherished by many.

Hughes began his first-class career at NSW, becoming the Blues' youngest debutant since current Australia skipper Michael Clarke eight years earlier when he stepped out to face Tasmania on November 20 2007.

A solid half-century was a nice introduction for a player who would soon be making waves.

The left-hander, at 19 years of age, became the youngest player to score a century in a Sheffield Shield final, making 116 at the top of the order in the second innings as NSW defeated Victoria by 258 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground to earn the 45th of their 46 titles.

His domestic form earned him a Test debut against South Africa in February 2009, where Hughes displayed no little grit besides his burgeoning talent to make 75 in the second innings after falling for a duck just four balls into his bow.

Australia won the match by 162 runs in Johannesburg, though it was the second Test in Durban that saw Hughes leave a lasting impression.

At 20 years and 98 days, Hughes became the youngest batsman to score two centuries in the same Test, surpassing the previous record set by George Headley for West Indies against England in 1930.

After 115 in the first innings, Hughes made a superb 160 in the second to set up another Australia victory.

From that point on, Hughes was in and out of the Test side, eventually going on to make 1535 runs in 26 appearances in the longest form of the game.

That included a third Test century against Sri Lanka in September 2011 - Hughes making 126 in the second innings as the sides played out a draw in Colombo.

A destructive player with a particularly strong off-side game highlighted by a preference for the cut shot, Hughes made his one-day international debut against Sri Lanka in Melbourne in January 2013, and once again it proved to be a historic day.

Hughes crafted 112 runs from 129 deliveries to inspire Australia to victory, and in doing so he became the first Australian to score a century on his ODI debut.

An unbeaten 138 followed in the fifth game of that series 12 days later, further evidence of the top-class potential at Hughes' fingertips.

Tragically, his passing means cricketing fans have been denied the chance to see more of that potential fulfilled, but it is worth remembering that Phillip Joel Hughes - even in a short career - was a man who broke new ground.