Phillip Hughes inquest begins in Sydney

Taradale Intermediate school First XI put out their bats in tribute to Australian cricketer Phil Hughes who lost his life in a tragic accident whilst batting for South Australia. Photo / Paul Taylor.

A five-day inquest into the death of cricketer Phillip Hughes, who was felled by a cricket ball during a Sheffield Shield match, has begun in Sydney.

Hughes died two days after he was struck on the side of the neck by a short- pitched delivery from pace bowler Sean Abbott during the match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on November 25, 2014.

State Coroner Michael Barnes has started the inquest by offering his condolences to the cricketer's family, who are attending at the Downing Centre.

"To his family ... he was much more than a fabulous cricketer," he said.

" Phillip Hughes was before anything else, a son and a brother."

He will examine whether the nature of play exacerbated the risk of injury, whether the response was appropriate and if a different protective helmet would have reduced the likelihood of death among other topics.

Speaking before the inquest began, Hughes' manager James Henderson and Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland both said they hoped something positive would come out of the week.

Mr Henderson said it was a "very, very difficult" time for Hughes' family.

"They haven't been looking forward to this week as you would imagine," he said outside court.

"But they are hoping that perhaps there will be a positive come out of Phil's death as we go through this next five days."

-AAP