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Phillip Hughes’ death means first Australia-India Test may be cancelled Phillip Hughes’ death means first Australia-India Test may be cancelled
(about 1 hour later)
The death of Phillip Hughes has cast doubts on whether the first Test between Australia and India on 4 December will go ahead in Brisbane. The death of Phillip Hughes has cast doubt on whether the first Test between Australia and India on 4 December will go ahead in Brisbane.
A two-day tour match between India and a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide was called off following the announcement of the 25-year-old’s death, while New Zealand and Pakistan suspended their Test match in Sharjah for the day out of respect.A two-day tour match between India and a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide was called off following the announcement of the 25-year-old’s death, while New Zealand and Pakistan suspended their Test match in Sharjah for the day out of respect.
Before his tragic death, Hughes was in the frame to take the place of the injured captain Michael Clarke in the home side’s starting line-up.Before his tragic death, Hughes was in the frame to take the place of the injured captain Michael Clarke in the home side’s starting line-up.
“To be honest, on the Test match next week we haven’t thought that far ahead and we really don’t think it is appropriate at this time,” Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland said at the St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney when asked if it would go ahead. “To be honest, on the Test match next week we haven’t thought that far ahead and we really don’t think it is appropriate at this time,” Cricket Australia’s chief executive, James Sutherland, said at the St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney when asked if it would go ahead.
“The whole of Australian cricket is grieving and all we want to do is to provide the Hughes family all the support we can right now.”“The whole of Australian cricket is grieving and all we want to do is to provide the Hughes family all the support we can right now.”
Hughes was batting on 63 for South Australia when he was hit by a short-pitched delivery from the New South Wales bowler Sean Abbot.Hughes was batting on 63 for South Australia when he was hit by a short-pitched delivery from the New South Wales bowler Sean Abbot.
The opening batsman David Warner, all-rounder Shane Watson, off-spinner Nathan Lyon and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin were all in the New South Wales line-up for the Sheffield Shield match and are all in the Australia squad for the first Test.The opening batsman David Warner, all-rounder Shane Watson, off-spinner Nathan Lyon and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin were all in the New South Wales line-up for the Sheffield Shield match and are all in the Australia squad for the first Test.
The current round of Sheffield Shield matches was abandoned following the fatal injury, with a procession of the 25-year-old’s team mates holding a bedside vigil. The current round of Sheffield Shield matches was abandoned following the fatal injury, with a procession of the 25-year-old’s team-mates holding a bedside vigil.
Prior to the announcement of Hughes’ death, former Australia test batsman Damien Martyn said organisers should consider delaying the first Test, while the former fast bowler Brendon Julian said he could see it being abandoned altogether. Prior to the announcement of Hughes’ death, the former Australia Test batsman Damien Martyn said organisers should consider delaying the first Test, while the former fast bowler Brendon Julian said he could see it being abandoned altogether.
The former skipper Allan Border said he thought the match would go ahead but said selectors should be sympathetic about the players’ mental state. The former captain Allan Border said he thought the match would go ahead but said selectors should be sympathetic about the players’ mental state.
“Particularly the guys that were out on the field at the time, that are named in the Test squad, they mightn’t be feeling like playing cricket at the moment,” Border told Fox Sports.“Particularly the guys that were out on the field at the time, that are named in the Test squad, they mightn’t be feeling like playing cricket at the moment,” Border told Fox Sports.
“I think it’s one of those situations where the Australian cricket board would probably let them stand down.”“I think it’s one of those situations where the Australian cricket board would probably let them stand down.”
However, the former captain Ian Chappell said Hughes would have wanted the first Test to go ahead as planned.However, the former captain Ian Chappell said Hughes would have wanted the first Test to go ahead as planned.
“In a strange way it will be probably the best thing that they go out to train and play in a game,” he told Fox Sports. “In a strange way it will be probably the best thing that they go out to train and play in a game,” he told Fox Sports. “At least while you are on the field or in the nets you will have something else to concentrate on.
“At least while you are on the field or in the nets you will have something else to concentrate on.
“Because every moment you are off the field you are going to be thinking about Phillip Hughes and what happened. “It was the right thing to do to cancel the Shield round but I think Phillip would want the game to go on.”“Because every moment you are off the field you are going to be thinking about Phillip Hughes and what happened. “It was the right thing to do to cancel the Shield round but I think Phillip would want the game to go on.”
With a packed schedule ahead of the Cricket World Cup staring in February on home soil, putting the first Test back may prove an insurmountable challenge for organisers. With a packed schedule ahead of the Cricket World Cup starting in February on home soil, putting the first Test back may prove an insurmountable challenge for organisers.
The second Test in Adelaide starts on 12 December, only four days after the first ends if it lasts the full five days. The third test is in Melbourne on Boxing day and the fourth in Sydney after the New Year. The second Test in Adelaide starts on 12 December, only four days after the first ends if it lasts the full five days. The third Test is in Melbourne on Boxing day and the fourth in Sydney in the new year.