While he returned to both the batting and bowling crease later in the year, Chatfield thought overcoming such an episode - both physically and mentally - was a greater challenge for a cricketer than anything found in the middle.
Hughes is currently in an induced coma at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, having undergone emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, and his future in cricket is now secondary to health. But Chatfield believed Abbott would also hold questions surrounding his involvement in the sport.
"The bowler will be really affected," Chatfield said. "He might be able to get over it - each individual is different and I can't say how long it's going to take for him to get over this.
"But for some guys it might have been the end of them. If he was a quick bowler, he may not be able to bowl quick any more, because of the fear of hitting somebody and killing somebody, so that might be the end of them.
"I hope not, and it's the same with Phil. I hope he can repair himself and get back and play again, whatever grade he's capable of playing."
Chatfield was yet to see footage of the moment Hughes was struck, having been alerted to the news by a colleague at Wellington Corporate Cabs, but he was quickly reminded of his own trauma.
Ewen Chatfield recovers in hospital after suffering a hairline fracture to his skull.
Batting at No 11 on the final day of a test in Auckland that England had virtually sealed, Chatfield was hit in the side of the head by a short-pitched ball while, staggering to the side of the pitch before collapsing and swallowing his tongue. His life was saved by England physio Bernard Thomas, who resuscitated him on the Eden Park turf, and Chatfield had to spend only one night in hospital with a hairline fracture to his skull.
Lever, meanwhile, was in almost as bad a shape as the man whom he hit. The bowler sank to his knees after Chatfield collapsed, sobbing inconsolably and leaving the field behind the stretcher. Lever later said he thought he had killed Chatfield and the Kiwi attached no blame to his opponent.
"I know with Peter Lever, he was very distraught when he hit me. He was getting very near the end of his career (he played two more tests for England) and I would say it has just as much an effect on the bowler, and all the players who played in the game as well."
Chatfield missed the second test in Christchurch while recovering but he experienced few psychological issues when donning a helmet the following season. But he acknowledged it could be a different story for Hughes, an opening batsman who had been left vulnerable by the equipment meant to protect him from such a fate.
"In my case helmets hadn't been invented, really, but it didn't take them long to come out," Chatfield said. "It happened in February, so I had the rest of that season off, then when we started again in October I bought a helmet.
"Confidence-wise, since I was No 11, I didn't have a great deal of it anyway. But once I had a helmet on it gave me a lot more confidence and I didn't think about it.
"Otherwise, if you're thinking about getting hit on the head all the time, you can't really do what you're meant to be doing."
The same was true for bowlers, Chatfield felt, with short-pitched deliveries posing a danger that every player knew to be inherent in the sport.
"All cricketers will feel sorry that it's happened, and no one ever wants it to happen. But these things, every now and again, do happen. It's part of the game."
The dangers of the short ball: The worst cricketing injuries
Rick McCosker, Australia v England, 1977
McCosker had his jaw broken by a Bob Willis bouncer on the first morning of the Centenary Test at the MCG. He spent a day and a half in hospital getting his jaw wired before returning to the ground to bat in Australia's second innings.
Bill Woodfull, Australia v England, 1933
Woodfull was struck in the heart by a ball delivered by Harold Larwood during at the Adelaide Oval during the Bodyline series. He was later visited in the dressing rooms by England team manager Pelham Warner, who wanted to express his remorse. Woodfull famously quipped: "I don't want to see you, Mr Warner. There are two teams out there. One is trying to play cricket and the other is not."
Rick Darling, Australia v England, 1979
English players and umpires saved Darling's life after he was struck in the heart by a rising delivery by Bob Willis and collapsed on the pitch during the Adelaide Test. Darling's chewing gum became lodged in his throat and he nearly choked to death.
Mark Vermeulen, Zimbabwe v India, 2004
Zimbabwe's Vermeulen suffered a depressed skull when he top-edged a bouncer from Irfan Pathan during a tri-series match in Brisbane and underwent reconstructive surgery. In 2006, he was arrested for setting fire to the Zimbabwe Cricket headquarters after he was seen fleeing the scene. He was charged with arson but cleared on grounds of mental illness.
Phil Simmons, West Indies v Gloucestershire, 1988
Simmons was not wearing a helmet when he was struck in the head by a David Lawrence ball during a tour match and underwent emergency brain surgery. He returned to cricket in a charity match four months later and resumed his international career the following year.
Nari Contractor, India v Barbados, 1962
Contractor's career was cut short after he was hit in the back of the head by a Charlie Griffith short delivery. Contractor was unconscious for six days and underwent several operations to save his life. He resumed his playing but could not get back to his best and did not play another Test.
-With AAP
