The tragic death of Phillip Hughes, who never regained consciousness after being struck by a bouncer on Tuesday afternoon at the SCG, will have far reaching effects not only on the Australian Test team, but throughout the Sheffield Shield, and beyond. It’s impossible to believe any of the playing XI will be in a fit state to represent their country.
Sometime in the interim, Phillip Hughes’ funeral will be scheduled, and every one of the Test team, the NSW and South Australians teams, from his home state and adopted state, plus many others from the other states, will want to be in attendance to pay their last respects.
How can the Test team be expected to perform after such trauma?
Counsellors will no doubt be called in by Cricket Australia to help overcome the grief, with only two possible ways for the professionals to do their job.
Cricket Australia called off the three Sheffield Shield games that started on Tuesday, the day Phillip was struck.
Cricket Australia could do the same again, and call off the first Test as it’s so close to Phillip’s death.
Which ever way Cricket Australia’ goes, it will be hellishly difficult for the baggy greens, losing such a close mate under circumstances never faced before.
It will take a long time for all of the Australian team to get over this horrific accident.
After the Windies no-show in India recently, Cricket Australia would be very mindful of cancelling a planned Test match with India. India are suing the Windies board for millions in lost revenue, and I wouldn’t put it passed them to do the same to us, no matter how different the circumstances are.
I think if the BCCI were to do the same in this instance, they would be digging their own grave. The public backlash would be enormous, across the cricketing world. If CA decide that the match should be called off, the BCCI will have to comply whether they like it or not. Lost revenue wouldn’t be worth getting a rocket up their ass from the public.
My condolences to Phil Hughes family.
He was a wonderful cricketer and for that I’m sure everyone close to him is very proud of his achievements.
