Hughes' death: India's tour match called-off, First test doubtful

India's two-day tour match against a Cricket Australia XI that was scheduled to start Friday has been called off as players mourn the death of Australian batsman Phil Hughes. The decision was made in consultation with the players and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), following the tragedy.

The game was India's last before the first Test scheduled to start in Brisbane from December 4.

The India players were informed of Hughes' death Thursday as they trained at the Adelaide Oval. Coach Duncan Fletcher and director Ravi Shastri called the players into a huddle to pass on the news of Hughes' death in Sydney.

In a statement, the team said it "joins the cricketing fraternity across the world in offering condolences to the family of Phillip Hughes who has departed from our midst. In this moment of grief, we pray that they are bestowed with divine strength to overcome this unfortunate tragedy." 

Pat Howard, Cricket Australia's executive general manager of team performance said several players from the CA XI have returned home to seek "solace" from their families and the BCCI has also cooperated with the grieving Australian cricketers. 

"Today we were reminded that cricket is just a game and it is the characters that play the game that make it so special," he said. 

"We appreciate the support and cooperation shown by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, team management and the India players who have been nothing but respectful during this tragic time," Howard remarked.

"We have spoken to the players and the ACA and have made the decision based on the best interest of all concerned," Howard added.

Meanwhile, the first Test between Australia and India scheduled to start from December 4 also remained in doubt.

It has been learnt that former players for the Australian team has called to abandon the first Test match against India next week in Brisbane.

Before his tragic death, Hughes had been tipped to take the place of injured captain Michael Clarke in the home side's starting lineup.

To be honest, the test match next week we haven’t thought that far ahead and we really don’t think it is appropriate at this time," Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland told reporters at the Sydney hospital when asked if it would go ahead.

"The whole of Australian cricket is grieving and all we want to do is to provide the Hughes family all the support we can right now."

Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar feels the onus now is on the cricket boards of the two nations to decide whether to call off the match or not.

Gavaskar feels the cricketers of both the teams will not be in the perfect frame of mind going into the match after Hughes’ death.

“That’s a tough one. The first Test is almost a week away but I am sure nobody would be in a mood to play. Nobody would be in the right frame of mind,” the former India skipper said.

Gavaskar also spared some sympathy for the bowler Sean Abbott, whose bouncer proved to be lethal for Hughes.

“Nobody wants to see anybody get hurt on the field. He (Abbott) must be devastated. It is tough for him. I believe Cricket Australia is doing the right thing by not just giving him counselling but the entire fielding team because they were very close to the action,” he said.

The India-Australia series was named "Border-Gavaskar Trophy" after two batting legends from either side.

Ex-Aussie skipper Allan Border said he thought the match would go ahead but said selectors should be sympathetic about the players' mental state.

Former captain Ian Chappell also said Hughes would have wanted the first test against India to go ahead as planned.