It’s one thing to say Phillip Hughes would have wanted the first Test to proceed as planned.
It’s another for 11 men to take the field at the Gabba a week after their close friend died.
Australia’s Test squad should have been wrapping up Sheffield Shield games on Friday and preparing to travel to Brisbane.
Instead they assembled in Sydney, still in shock over the death of Hughes.
They are stricken with grief and the merits of playing, delaying or abandoning the start of a four-Test series against India are yet to be considered.
“We haven’t broached the subject with the players yet – we will in time,” Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said on Friday.
“It’s really important to give people time and people will respond in different ways to what they’re going through.”
Sutherland noted that day one of the first Test may be under a week away, “but in other ways it’s a million miles away”.
Sutherland’s colleague Pat Howard added CA must wait until players “are in a position where they can make strong choices”.
“That’s not now,” Howard said.
Hughes’ family will obviously influence the players’ discussion regarding the first Test.
“I’ve heard the Hughes family are keen for that to go ahead, obviously that’s going to be a question for the players,” South Australian Cricket Association chief Keith Bradshaw said in Adelaide.
“We must be mindful of the players and respect the players’ feelings at this time as they try to deal with this tragic loss.”
Test players Brad Haddin, David Warner, Shane Watson and Nathan Lyon were all in the field for NSW when they watched Hughes slump to the ground after being struck on Tuesday.
When and how they will start thinking about playing the sport again is anyone’s guess.
Hughes’ funeral will also shape the movements of players and ancillary staff.
The Gabba is taking direction from CA regarding the first Test, while the ground and Queensland Cricketers’ Club have both setup tribute areas for Hughes.
Cricket Australia director Mark Taylor told the Nine Network the first Test could be the most fitting tribute of all.
“It would be great for the Test match to go ahead so people could come out and share the mourning of the loss of Phillip,” Taylor said.
“There’s a lot to be discussed over the next probably three or four days before a decision will probably be made next week.”
India will have a centre-wicket practice session on Saturday and fly to Brisbane on Monday.
Sutherland thanked the tourists for their recent support, noting their “understanding and empathy has been outstanding”.
India are set to train at the Gabba on Tuesday and expect the first Test to start two days later.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was among many doubting whether that will, or should, happen.
“Nobody would be in the right frame of mind,” Gavaskar said.
Given the upcoming jam-packed schedule, it would be difficult to reschedule the first Test this summer.
It means if the match does not go ahead, it is likely to be abandoned.
LITTLE ROOM IN TEST SERIES SCHEDULE:
*Dec 4-8: First Test in Brisbane
*Dec 12-16: Second Test in Adelaide
*Dec 26-30: Third Test in Melbourne
*Jan 3-7: Fourth Test in Sydney
*Jan 12: India warm-up match for tri series in Sydney NB: The only potential slot in the schedule is Dec 19-23. Players would only have two days off after the Test in Adelaide and before the Test in Melbourne, so it will not happen.
