Adelaide:
With the cricket world mourning Phillip Hughes’ tragic death, next week’s first Test between India and Australia was today pushed back to an unspecified date to let the players attend the late batsman’s funeral scheduled on Wednesday in his hometown.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Cricket Australia said that it was neither feasible nor fair to begin the Test on December 4 as originally planned.
“The first Test between Australia and India that was scheduled to start in Brisbane next Thursday has been postponed until an unspecified date to allow the cricket world time to grieve over the death of Phillip Hughes,” the statement said.
“With funeral arrangements for Hughes confirmed for his home town of Macksville - midway between Brisbane and Sydney - next Wednesday afternoon, Cricket Australia has confirmed that it was neither feasible nor fair to begin the Test as originally planned the next day,” it added.
The CA said that its officials have maintained close contact with the BCCI since Hughes was critically injured on Tuesday. The 25-year-old died two days later as a result of the injuries he received on being struck by a bouncer while batting in a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.
“It is understood that the BCCI, and the Indian Test squad which is currently in Adelaide where a scheduled two-day warm-up match was to have been played yesterday and today was cancelled, have been understanding and supportive of the unprecedented circumstances.
“The life and achievements of Hughes, who would have turned 26 tomorrow, will be honoured and celebrated at a funeral service to be held in the Sports Hall at Macksville High School where Hughes was a student until his move to Sydney in 2006 to pursue his cricket dream,” the CA said.
The funeral will be telecast live on Channel Nine, while ABC Local Radio and the Fairfax Radio Network will also broadcast the service live around the country. It will also be streamed live on Cricket Australia’s website and mobile app.
