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Test will wait after Hughes funeral

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The funeral of Phillip Hughes will take place on Wednesday with Australia's first Test against India delayed as a result, Cricket Australia has announced.

The first Test of India's tour was due to begin on Thursday in Brisbane, but will now be rescheduled.

Hughes, who was 25, died on Thursday from injuries suffered when he was struck by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match, and his funeral will take place in his home town of Macksville, New South Wales.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said: "These are extraordinary circumstances and we simply couldn't or wouldn't expect our players to be emotionally ready to start a Test match the day after farewelling one of their team-mates.

Phillip Hughes' funeral on Wednesday will be broadcast nationwide in Australia, including on big screens at the SCG Trust and Adelaide Oval

"Their welfare is our absolute priority. They are grieving and to expect that they could play a high-pressured, five-day Test match the following day is out of the question.

"We appreciate the incredible understanding and support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. It has been nothing short of outstanding during these difficult times."

Hughes' funeral will take place in the sports hall of Macksville High School, which he attended. The funeral will be broadcast nationwide in Australia and carried on Cricket Australia's website, while big screens will show the service at the SCG Trust and Adelaide Oval.

No announcement has yet been made as to when the Brisbane Test might be played, with ticket sales suspended for the time being.

Meanwhile, Australia captain Michael Clarke has announced that Hughes' one-day international shirt number of 64 will be retired.

Hughes' one-day international number 64 is being retired at the request of Australia captain and Hughes' close friend Michael Clarke

In tribute to the left-hander, a grieving Clarke said Cricket Australia has accepted a request to retire the ODI shirt number of Hughes, who made 25 appearances in the 50-over format to add to his 26 Test caps.

Speaking on behalf of the Australian team and the support staff, Clarke said at a press conference: "Words can not express the loss we all feel as a team right now. To Greg, Virginia (his parents), Jason and Megan (his siblings) we share the deep pain that you're feeling.

"Last night, I asked Cricket Australia if Hughesy's Australian one-day international shirt number, 64, could be retired, to which they agreed. That means so much.

"His legacy of trying to improve each and every day will drive us for the rest of our lives. Our dressing room will never be the same; we loved him and always will."


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