File photo of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
© AFP
Sydney: The first Test between India and Australia, originally scheduled in Brisbane from December 4, has been moved to Adelaide. The dates for the game have not been confirmed. Virat Kohli & Co. will now play a two-day tour match on December 4-5.
The opening clash between the teams was due to start on Thursday at the Gabba but was put off following the death of Hughes in a freak on-field incident, with skipper Michael Clarke admitting his players were emotionally shattered.
Hughes died last Thursday from bleeding in the brain, two days after being knocked unconscious by a bouncer while batting at a domestic match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, throwing the cricketing world into mourning.
"The Indian side will remain in Adelaide until details for the first Test have been confirmed," Cricket Australia had previously tweeted.
The body has been in discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and other stakeholders including broadcast partners about how to move forward.
But cricket officials have made it clear that the welfare of those mourning was the priority.
"The players are going through a grieving process and they must be afforded the opportunity to do so. As anyone can appreciate, this process doesn't run according to a clock or a calendar," Australian Cricketers' Association chief Alistair Nicholson said at the weekend. (Australia Retire Hughes' ODI Number)
The tragedy has deeply shaken the world cricket community, particularly in Australia where the sport is widely followed. Flags have been flown at half mast and bats left outside front doors as a mark of respect. (BCCI Extends Friendly Arm to Help Australian Team's 'Healing Process')
Fans have been told to hang onto their tickets for Brisbane until further notice. (Read: Israeli Umpire Suffers Shocking Death)
Adelaide Oval will be a fitting venue for Australia's first match after Hughes' death, given it was his adopted home ground for the past two summers with South Australia.
(With inputs from AFP)
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