Just as it was in Sydney, this day started out just like any other interstate contest. Allan Border Field looked a picture of health as a handful of fans relaxed in the sun. Queensland began the morning trying to chip away at the Tasmanian batting order, squeezing every inch of life out of a thinly grassed Albion pitch.

Ryan Harris was giving his clunky knee a thorough workout before the first Test next week at the Gabba. Alex Doolan had designs of batting at number three in that very game, before being dismissed for 12. Chris Hartley was bouncing around like a jack rabbit.

Balls were zinging by edges and flying by helmets, like they would in any other cricket game in any corner of the globe. One delivery 900km away, bowled by the eternally blameless Blues quick Sean Abbott, would inadvertantly send shockwaves throughout the sport. Hughes would mistime his pull shot, then tumble to the pitch in distress.

News of the seriousness of the incident spread like wildfire. Pieces of information would filter out, then be countered, corrected or endorsed. Social media would become the conduit as fans and players around the world soaked up every morsel. If good wishes were any sort of tonic, Hughes would have been able to dust himself off and continue his innings.

In the Sheffield Shield game in Brisbane, the players were among the least informed, including many of those who count themselves among Hughes' close friends. It was a cruel paradox that heightened feelings later in the day as play forged towards stumps. Then, a release of emotions.

The Queenslanders had little or no access to mobile phones but were slowly discovering the gravity of the injury, which saw Hughes rushed to hospital for emergency surgery to relieve swelling on his brain. More information came to light at tea while Howard, Cricket Australia's high-performance boss, would update them to the best of his ability after the close of play.

A handful of Tasmanian players would ascend the stairs to the press box during the afternoon to try and find out the latest news. Hughes was critical, they were told, but was safely out of surgery. He was in the best of hands and only time would shed any light on his future. The next 48 hours would be telling.

After the players emerged from Howard's briefing, the looks on their faces said it all; a mix of shock, sadness and deep concern for a fellow athlete and to many, a mate. Ed Cowan struggled to hold back tears, later sitting down near the field, alone, to briefly be with his thoughts. George Bailey looked shaken to the core as he made his way to the team bus.

They must both return to play again on Wednesday, somehow, as must the Queenslanders, although many would see little sense in continuing the round of games.

It would be left to Quensland coach Stuart Law to provide an insight into the inner-sanctum after a day of cricket none of them are ever likely to forget.

"There are a few guys in there who are shocked and visibily upset by what has gone on," Law said. "He (Hughes) had very close mates in both dressing rooms. We are feeling everything for Phil at the moment.

'"He is a fighter - and this is another fight for him. He is a champion bloke, so fingers crossed he gets through this one. We are hoping he will one day put the baggy green on again."