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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Australia v India: First Test rescheduled as players not emotionally ready

Australia v India: First Test rescheduled as players not emotionally ready

By Rediff Sports Desk
Last updated on: November 29, 2014 13:38 IST
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Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke pauses as he reads a statement

Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke pauses as he reads a statement on behalf of the Australian cricket team in response to the death of cricketer Phil Hughes. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The first Test between India and Australia will be rescheduled, as three senior cricketers of the home side -- Shane Watson, David Warner and Brad Haddin -- are among those who have said that they are not in perfect state of mind to return to competitive cricket.

Cricket Australia confirmed that the first Commonwealth Bank Test match at the Gabba will not start on Thursday 4 December as scheduled. The details around the Test match are yet to be determined.

Hughes, 25, died on Thursday as the result of a catastrophic injury he sustained when struck on the head by a ball during a domestic match, triggering a wave of mourning in Australia and around the world.

The CA Chief Executive James Sutherland said that, “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.

“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.”

Captain Michael Clarke gave a graphic illustration of the raw emotions of the Australia team when he broke down repeatedly while paying tribute to Hughes on Saturday.

"Words cannot express the loss we feel as a team right now," Clarke said. "We are going to miss that cheeky grin and that twinkle in his eye. He epitomised what the baggy green was about and what it means to us all.

"The world lost one of its great blokes this week and we are all poorer for it."

Sutherland asked for patience from cricket fans while a new date was found for the Test.

The second Test is scheduled to take place in Adelaide from December 12-16 with the third starting on Boxing Day (December 26) in Melbourne and the fourth and final match in Sydney running from January 3-7.

Tributes continued to flood in from around the world for Hughes and indication of how deeply Hughes's death has affected his fellow professionals came in the United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan are hosting New Zealand in a Test series.

The second Test had been postponed for a day after Hughes died and there was no celebration of wickets or centuries when it resumed on Friday.

Ticket sales for the Test have been suspended.

“We know that there are many people who have purchased tickets to the Test match who will be wondering what happens next? Once the situation has been resolved, we will advise them as a priority,” Sutherland said.

“Fans should simply hold onto their tickets until further notice.”

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