Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland was "adamant there
would be no backlash against any player who withdrew from playing in the
revised first Test because he was struggling to cope with Phillip
Hughes' death," according to Daniel Lane of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The first Test was rescheduled to start in Adelaide
on Tuesday to allow the players "more time to cope with
the Hughes' death." Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association have "made it clear each players' mental wellbeing was their priority." Sutherland, who addressed the media in Sydney on Tuesday as he "made
his way" to Hughes' hometown of Macksville on the NSW north coast, "would
not entertain talk of who might, or might not, play in Adelaide." Sutherland: "We'll
support the players in the best possible way in this period. There's a funeral [on Wednesday] and let's just
understand that's going to be difficult enough as it is" (SMH, 12/2). Lane reported in a separate piece Sutherland "conceded the rescheduled Test series" was "not perfect" but
he hoped anyone adversely affected by the changes could appreciate the
"big picture." Hughes' death "threw the four-Test series between Australia and India
into a tailspin as Sutherland, and other officials, ensured the public
the Australian players welfare was their top priority." Sutherland admitted it had been a rush to "re-engineer" the itinerary. Sutherland was "stunned by the level of goodwill from his Indian
counterparts, the host broadcasters and other stakeholders as Cricket
Australia scrambled to revamp the series." He said, "I've had conversations with chief executives of [our] commercial
partners, including broadcasters, who said, 'We completely understand the
circumstances you're in, we should be the last ones you worry about -- just get it done and don't feel any pressure from us.' I
think that's been magnificent" (SMH, 12/3). In Sydney, Matthew Elkerton reported CA is in talks with "major accommodation bodies as
ticket providers and airline companies make arrangements to assist
customers affected by the rescheduling of the upcoming Test series
between Australia and India." Domestic airlines, including Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia
and Tiger Airways, "have all released official statements stating that
all customers who have purchased tickets with the intention to attend
the cricket will be able to re-book tickets with no change fee." Ticketmaster -- provider of tickets to the Gabba Test -- and Ticketek
(Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney) have advised that "all ticket sales are
suspended for the meantime and will resume sale for the new dates
shortly." Both ticket providers have advised that current ticket holders
will be able to "use their tickets on the respective rescheduled day of
play, however if ticket holders are unable to attend the rescheduled
match, they are able to obtain a full ticket refund" (SMH, 12/2).
NO ECB REP AT FUNERAL: In London, Lizzy Ammon reported the England & Wales Cricket Board has confirmed it will "not be officially represented" at Hughes' funeral on Wednesday. An ECB representative "will be present at the Australia opener's state memorial service in Sydney, the date of which is yet to be confirmed." An ECB spokesperson said that Int'l Cricket Council CEO Dave Richardson "would attend the funeral in Macksville on behalf of all affiliated members" (GUARDIAN, 12/1). The BBC reported Australia captain Michael Clarke will be "one of the pallbearers at the funeral." The service, held in Hughes' hometown of Macksville, will start at 3pm local time and "will be attended by the Australian squad." Former Australia internationals Mark Taylor, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Steve Waugh and Justin Langer, as well as former New Zealand Test player Richard Hadlee, "are among some of the cricketing names attending the funeral and have been asked to create a guard of honour" (BBC, 12/2).
