A "broken" Sean Abbott faced rebuilding his life on Friday after delivering the ball that killed Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, although Cricket Australia said the young bowler was holding up well given the circumstances.

The paceman, 22, was doing what he always does for his state, New South Wales, bowling fast, when Hughes misjudged a pull shot at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday and collapsed to the ground unconscious after being hit on the base of the skull.

He never recovered and died on Thursday after massive bleeding to the brain.