This week’s Sheffield Shield matches were abandoned, as “shocked and devastated” cricketers come to grips with the plight of Phillip Hughes.
The game Hughes was playing in, NSW’s clash with South Australia at the SCG, was called off after a bouncer hospitalised the left-hander on Tuesday afternoon.
On Wednesday morning, Cricket Australia also scrapped Queensland’s match against Tasmania at Allan Border Field and the MCG fixture featuring Victoria and Western Australia.
The decision was made in consultation with players and the Australian Cricketers Association.
“Speaking to the state captains through last night and this morning … there were a number of players that were shocked and devastated,” ACA chief executive Alistair Nicholson said.
“The advice of experts and the thoughts of the players were given strong consideration.
“We agree that given the unique and very serious nature of this situation, players and officials are best placed surrounded by family and friends, supporting one another and sending their best wishes Phillip’s way.”
Cricketers turned pale-faced in Melbourne and Brisbane on Tuesday as news filtered through that Hughes had undergone surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain.
“Given how players across the country are feeling right now, it’s just not the day to be playing cricket,” Cricket Australia general manager of team performance Pat Howard said on Wednesday.
The three games were the final chance for Australia’s Test players to have some rigorous match practice before taking on India at the Gabba next week.
Ryan Harris, who was set to be rested this week but told national selectors he wanted more match fitness before facing India, is expected to play grade cricket this weekend.
Harris’ club Toombul is bowling on Saturday.
Other players will potentially turn out for clubs on Saturday, but understandably that is nobody’s priority at the moment.
“Every player and how they react is different,” Nicholson said.
“It’s too early to say (if some players will take a break from the game).”
Shaun Marsh is expected to replace Michael Clarke in the squad.
The hamstrung captain is a close friend of Hughes and has spent much of the past two days at St Vincent’s hospital.
The opening chapter of Australia’s four-Test series against India begins in Brisbane on Thursday week.
India are slated to start a two-day tour game against a young developmental side at Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Both games are expected to go ahead at this stage.
“In regards to those fixtures later on, that’s not something we’ve had any specific conversations on yet,” Nicholson said.
All six states will receive one point from the scrapped Shield round.
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