First India-Australia Test in doubt as players mourn

Sydney, Nov 28 (PTI) With players mourning the tragic death of Phillip Hughes, there is still uncertainty over whether the first Test between India and Australia will go on as per schedule next week. The Test is scheduled to commence at Brisbane on December 4, which is just a week away, and Cricket Australia's chief executive officer James Sutherland said the players were grieving and it was important to give them time to cope with the huge loss. "I suppose the starting point is they are grieving, and they've lost someone that is incredibly close to them," Sutherland told reporters. "I think there is enough that we understand about grieving processes to know that it's really important to give people time, and people will respond in different ways to what they're going through. Six or seven days is not a long time, but right now with where we all are, it seems like a million miles away," he added. The cricket fraternity across the world plunged into mourning after the left-handed batsman died yesterday, succumbing to his injuries at the St Vincent's Hospital, where he was battled for life for two days after being hit on the head by a bouncer from Sean Abbot in a domestic match. India's tour game against Cricket Australia XI, which was suppose to start at Adelaide today, has already been cancelled. Sutherland insisted that the Test match would take place only when the players were mentally ready. "I know everyone wants to know about cricket and when it goes on and what's happening. "We all love cricket and no one loved cricket more than Phillip. Cricket will go on and it will go on when we're ready," said Sutherland. Four of those named in the Australian Test squad -- David Warner, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Nathan Lyon -- were present on the field when Hughes collapsed after being hit in the neck. Players had gathering at the Sydney Cricket Ground here last night to reflect on the loss. "It was a sad and quiet occasion, but it was a memorable one," Sutherland said. PTI