With the cricket world still mourning the tragic death of Phillip Hughes, the first Test between India and Australia next week was today put off to an unspecified date and might even be cancelled to pay homage to the batsman.
In a statement issued today, Cricket Australia announced that the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy -- to be played in Brisbane from December 4 -- has been postponed. The decision was taken in light of the fact that Hughes' funeral will take place in his hometown of Macksville on Wednesday, December 3.
The entire Australian side and members of the Indian team and its support staff will be attending the funeral. The 25-year-old left-handed cricketer died on Thursday after being hit by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield game two days prior, sparking nationwide outburst of emotion.
CA CEO James Sutherland stated: "These are extraordinary circumstances and we simply couldn't or wouldn't expect our players to be emotionally ready to start a Test match the day after farewelling (sic) one of their teammates. Their welfare is our absolute priority. They are grieving and to expect that they could play a high-pressured, five-day Test match the following day is out
of the question."
"We appreciate the incredible understanding and support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. It has been nothing short of outstanding during these difficult times," he added.
The announcement did not give any further details on when the Test match would be held. But it asked the ticket-holders for that game to hold onto their tickets.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the travelling Indian team, Dr R N Baba said, "they have been informed of a one-day postponement of the first Test at the Gabba."
He further stated that the Test could begin on Friday, December 5, and will still be a five-day match.
However, it has been reliably learnt that given the solemn mood of Cricket Australia, its cricketers and the supporting public, the first Test could altogether be cancelled and a decision to this effect could be taken on Sunday.
