Cricket Australia confirm the first Test will be delayed for Phillip Hughes’s funeral
- 6 HOURS AGO NOVEMBER 29, 2014
CRICKET Australia has decided to postpone the start of the first Test so players can pay tribute to Phillip Hughes.
Hughes’ funeral will be held in his home town of Macksville on Wednesday at 2pm, with players past and present expected to attend.
Cricket Australia confirmed the first Test against India at the Gabba won’t start this Thursday and ticket sales have been suspended.
Patrons who have already bought tickets have been told to hold on to them until a final decision on the status of the Test is made — most likely within the next 24 hours.
Family and friends will bid farewell to Phillip Hughes in Macksville on Wednesday. Source: Getty Images
CA officials were forced to discuss moving the Test to January after a united belief from players that they would not be right for a Thursday start.
The organisation has been forced to deal with an overwhelmingly emotional and logistical issue at short notice, with the likely options being to push the match back a couple of days or completely move the fixture to the New Year.
There was talk that the Gabba Test could be squeezed in between the second Test in Adelaide and the third Test in Melbourne, but that scenario wouldn’t allow enough rest days in between.
For that to work, the dates for the Adelaide match would need to be brought forward — and changing the schedules for two Tests could prove too difficult to manage.
The Sydney Test finishes on January 7, and there could be room to slot the Gabba Test in after that, although even that scenario might require the first one-day international tri-series match against India on January 16 being rescheduled.
All options are on the table, including the possibility of cancelling the Test altogether.
CA officials locked themselves in a war room, trying to come up with the best solution for all concerned.
After a day of grieving together as a team at the SCG last Friday, players returned to their homes around the country to be with their families. The squad was due to assemble in Brisbane today, but that won’t happen any more and it’s possible the Australian team won’t come together until Hughes’ funeral takes place.
Phillip Hughes with his father Greg after his Test debut against South Africa in 2009. Source: Getty Images
Captain Michael Clarke’s deeply emotional address to the media on behalf of his teammates yesterday gave a clear indication into the mental state of the Australian playing group.
Clarke wouldn’t be playing in the first Test anyway due to his hamstring injury, but his grief is deep and the same goes for several others.
Brad Haddin, David Warner, Shane Watson and Nathan Lyon were all on the field when the tragic accident occurred — and others like Steve Smith were also particularly close to the 26-time Test batsman who has touched so many people.
