Indians' tour game cancelled after Hughes' death
India's second tour match in Adelaide has been
cancelled as Australian cricket takes a 'grief now,
sport later' approach following the death of
Phillip Hughes . Cricket Australia must also decide
over the coming days how to approach the first
Test at the Gabba, which is due to start on
Thursday next week.
Four of the players picked in Australia's Test
squad were on the field at the SCG at the time
when Hughes was struck by an ultimately fatal
blow during the Sheffield Shield game between
New South Wales and South Australia on
Tuesday. The full round of Shield matches had
been abandoned by the close of Tuesday.
After Hughes died on Thursday afternoon, Cricket
Australia's CEO James Sutherland said no thought
had yet been given to the Brisbane Test and how
Australian cricket would move forward in the
immediate future. As well as the Test match,
consideration will also need to be given to an
appropriate farewell for Hughes.
"The Test match next week, we haven't thought
that far ahead and we really don't think it is
appropriate at this time," Sutherland said. "The
whole of Australian cricket is grieving and all we
want to do is provide the Hughes family all the
support we possibly can right now. In the fullness
of time we'll think about what's ahead, but to be
honest we really haven't thought that far ahead.
"Phillip has only died this afternoon. The
important thing is to provide support for
everyone. In time people will start to think about what's next and
obviously a funeral is one of those things. But we'll certainly make
sure the Australian public get their opportunity to pay their respects to
Phillip in an appropriate way in the foreseeable future."
In the hours after Sutherland spoke, it was confirmed that India's tour
match against a Cricket Australia XI had been cancelled. Initially, the
two-day match had been scheduled for Friday-Saturday, and then it
was delayed until the weekend. By Thursday evening, it had been
abandoned entirely.
"Today we were reminded that cricket is just a game and it is the
characters that play the game that make it so special," Pat Howard,
Cricket Australia's executive general manager of team performance,
said. "We have spoken to the players and the ACA [Australian
Cricketers' Association] and have made the decision based on the best
interest of all concerned.
"Several of the CA XI players have returned home to seek support and
solace from their family, friends and team-mates. We appreciate the
support and cooperation shown by the Board of Control for Cricket in
India, team management and the India players who have been nothing
but respectful during this tragic time."
The India squad was set to train in the Adelaide Oval nets on Friday,
but not on the ground proper, as a mark of respect to Hughes. After
Hughes died, the India squad released a statement offering its
condolences.
"The touring Indian team joins the cricketing fraternity across the
world in offering condolences to the family of Phil Hughes, who has
departed from our midst," the statement said. "In this moment of grief,
we pray that they are bestowed with divine strength to overcome this
unfortunate tragedy.
"As fellow cricketers we cherish the memories of playing along with
him and deeply respect his contribution to the game of cricket."
Grief was also felt around the world: in Sharjah, the second day of the
third Test between Pakistan and New Zealand was abandoned after
news of Hughes' death was received. The match will resume on Friday
and will be extended by a day.
It was also confirmed that Sydney's grade cricket, from first grade
through to fifth grade, would not go ahead this weekend "as a mark of
respect following the tragic passing of Phillip Hughes". Hughes played
for the Western Suburbs club in Sydney's first-grade competition after
moving to Sydney from the country town of Macksville.
