Former PM Howard says prayer for Hughes

Former prime minister John Howard says he has said a prayer for former Australian Test batsman Phil Hughes' recovery.

"I like every cricket lover and many more in Australia have said a prayer for his future," Mr Howard told reporters in Melbourne.

"He's a wonderful young man and we can only pray that he'll make a recovery."

Mr Howard said he had met Hughes, who was critically injured after being hit in the head during a Sheffield Shield match, a number of times.

"He's a tenacious player and he's fought back from playing adversity and we can only pray that he fights back from this."