With the cricket family in mourning over the tragic death of Phil Hughes, the game has to take a collective breath in the short term.
It is often said when someone’s life is cut short like Phil’s has been, that he or she would have wanted the show to go on.
But the right decision is to cancel the start of the Australian Test summer next week at the Gabba, where Australia are scheduled to take on India.
»Phil Hughes’ career in pictures
»STORY: Phil Hughes passes away
Many of the players in the Australian team were close friends of Phil and have played a lot of cricket with him. It will be almost impossible for them to get themselves right for that Test.
There’s also the issue that he was a very good chance of being their teammate and continuing his stop-start 26-Test career, with his close mate and captain Michael Clarke out with injury.
It’s just not the right time to play. Mind you, Adelaide is due straight after and the question needs to be asked, do you also call that match off?
Cricket Australia need to make a decision quickly and obviously discretely in these very sad circumstances.
All grade cricket needs to be called off this week around Australia. The tour match against India was scheduled to play in has already been cancelled.
This next week or so must be a time of reflection for our vast cricket community as we come to terms with such a tragic accident.
The media too, of which I have been part of for more than 25 years, must leave Sean Abbott alone and let him grieve with his family and friends. You couldn’t imagine what he is going through; involved in an accident with one of his friends playing the sport they love, both carving fine careers out for themselves.
It seems that Sean is in good hands with the support of the New South Wales team. Hopefully he can recover and find the courage to play cricket again at the high level he has been producing. We wish him well.
Our thoughts need to be with the Hughes family and I am sure they have outstanding support.
Phil was trying to prove people wrong; show that he could be a good Test player. Unfortunately, he will never get that chance. But there were brilliant moments – especially the century in each innings in Durban at the start of his Test journey in 2009. He made one of Test cricket’s most feared pace attacks, Dale Steyn, Makaya Ntini and Morne Morkel, look less than threadbare, which is almost impossible to do.
He will be remembered for that, but most importantly he will be remembered for being a humble, caring and determined person.
May he rest in peace and may the cricket community be inspired by his feats, which were many in such a short space of time.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ben Pobjie also used the death of horses in the Melbourne Cup as an opportunity to grandstand about why he doesn't like racing. Personally I've never found his articles even slighly amusing but there's now a grubby element that he seems to be exploiting tragedy for (attempted) cheap laughs.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Good decision. No more bouncers!
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I agree. Some of this appears to be emotional hijacking by the media especially. I hope it brings some comfort to the family, that's all. I'm finding it a little creepy that his funeral is to be broadcast. This isn't a reality show.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
But why would any of you repost this crap? Why help it get further out there?
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
SFL spot on. Ben's been a real dlckhead here.
Andy
Guest
It Has to be Called off no point playing if players arnt %100 committed so Come On Cricket Australia pull the pin on the first test .
Chris
Guest
Well said a period of reflection and grief is correct. Life is so much more important than a game that ultimately means nothing it's not the World Cup . A test is by nature just a friendly no ultimate prize .
Shortfineleg
Guest
I have to disagree, Toy. Have a look at the screenshot of the Ben Pobjie tweet posted by dasilva above. What was posted was a cheap political shot. It wasn't about Hughes and grief. And his subsequent excuse didn't help.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Some of these suggestions are bordering on the macabre
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
How will that help? If Phil had left and wife and kid behind, that would make sense but otherwise?
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
A lot of people are tweeting and posting on forums pissed and either angry or morose (probably not much different from normal in some ways). That may be a reason as to why he posted something so stupid, not an excuse mind.
dasilva
Guest
The exact quote is here http://blogs.news.com.au/images/uploads/Screen_Shot_2014-11-27_at_11.38_.32_pm_.png
Tom from Perth
Guest
The particular example I refer to is "Australia only supports one Abbott", JGK.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I don't feel the test should be called off BUT if too many players feel they can not play so soon after the tragic accident, then it would not be a test because of the lack of the normal test team available. If this does happen, and it is only an if, then play a four or five day CA XI v India. This would give India a game and the broadcasters a game.
JoM
Guest
Who suggested cancelling the second test. That would be Adelaide and I can't see that happening not at his home ground. Each of the boys will make the decision as to whether they want to play or not. I hope they do but the decision has to be respected. They will also be doing it without their captain as well.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
These comments are all very cincere with the cloud that overlooks us ATM with this tradgety. The only thing I cannot relate to is naming Hughes in the team for the first test. I can understand how some would see this as a tribute but you would be labelling Hughes as the first ever deceased person to ever be named in any test cricket team in the world and I personally don't think he should be remembered in this light so I hope they do not do something like that.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
I don't think future cricket historians will need a test cancelled to remember what happened to Phil Hughes Utah. This will make him legendary for all the wrong reasons.
Gav
Guest
Read in the paper today that based on medical records only 100 people globally have died of this injury.......and none of them were cricketers. I didn't know Phil Hughes (like most I guess), but from everything I read about him and what those closest say about him through the media, I find it vey hard to imagine that he wouldn't want the game to go on. If a team mate was struggling he even sounds like the type to say "come on mate come out and have a hit" I guess we are all individuals though, and some may just not be up to it. So for me it's game on, and those who don't feel up to it should be excused. One thing I do know though is that it could be quite uncomfortable to be a fast bowler and let that first bouncer go.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
The notion of cancelling the test match and then suggesting possibly cancelling the second is ridiculous. Whichever players feel like they can't take part won't and then life will go on. It's a terrible tragedy and Phil Hughes really seemed to be a terrific bloke but I can't stand it when outsiders make it their business to become as emotionally involved as the deceased's loved ones. His teammates, family and friends are the ones who have to pick up the pieces.
Sandy
Guest
You say it better than me Peter, a very nice way to put it.