1st India-Australia Test postponed, new date to be announced later

Melbourne, Nov 29: The 1st India-Australia Test has been postponed due to the death of Phil Hughes, Cricket Australia (CA) announced today.

Tour fixtures, match times, TV schedule

The first Test in Brisbane was to start on December 4 (Thursday). However, it will be played later, for which the date is yet to be announced. This is a four-Test series. (Cricketers who died due to on-field injuries)

"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," a report on CA's website said on Saturday. (Watson, Haddin, Warner not ready yet)

"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.

CA Chief Executive James Sutherland said: "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 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."

CA thanks BCCI for support

Sutherland appreciated BCCI for their understanding and support. "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. We fully acknowledge the many groups who want to know when the Test will take place, particularly cricket fans in Queensland, Queensland Cricket and Stadiums Queensland.

"We just ask the cricket community for some patience as we work through a range of scenarios in full consultation with the players, the Indian Board, the ICC and our broadcasters. We hope to resolve all matters in the next few days and will let cricket fans and the game's many important stakeholders know as a priority," he added.

Hughes, 25, died on Thursday (November 27) at a Sydney hospital after being struck by a short-pitched ball from Sean Abbott during a first-class match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Tuesday (November 25).

Four of Australia's Test players, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, David Warner and Nathan Lyon were also playing in that game. India's two-day tour game in Adelaide was also cancelled following the tragic death of Hughes.

Hughes funeral on 3 December

Meanwhile, Hughes' funeral will take place at 2.00 PM (local time) on Wednesday 3 December in the Hughes family's home town of Macksville in northern New South Wales.

It will be held in the sports hall of Macksville High School where Phillip was educated. Given the limited capacity in the hall, overflow areas will be made available for guests to watch the service via vision screens set up on the school's two ovals.

The service will be broadcast live by the Nine Network with provisions made for all other television networks.

OneIndia News