‘Australia-India Test should go ahead’

Published November 28, 2014
Mahendra Singh Dhoni successfully stumps Australia's Michael Clarke . — Reuters/File
Mahendra Singh Dhoni successfully stumps Australia's Michael Clarke . — Reuters/File

SYDNEY: Cricket greats Allan Border and Ian Healy on Thursday said Australia’s Test against India next week should go ahead despite players struggling to deal with the tragic news.

Four of those named in the Test squad — David Warner, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Nathan Lyon — were on the field when Hughes collapsed and rushed to his side, with questions raised as to whether they will be in the right frame of mind.

Warner’s father Howard told the Sydney Daily Telegraph: “Dave is just shattered. He and Phil have been good mates for a while now. I spoke to Dave briefly... he’s doing it tough.

“There will be guys, particularly the guys that were out on the field at the time that are named in the Test squad, they mightn’t be feeling like playing cricket at the moment,” former Test captain and selector Border told Fox Sports.

“You’d understand if they wanted to pull out. But I think the game should go ahead.

“We’re all a bit numb at the moment. I get the feeling that Phillip would want the game to go ahead. But if the individuals don’t feel up it, then so be it.”

Former Test wicket-keeper Healy, now a commentator, echoed Border’s comments that the match should go on.

“My thinking might be that Phillip’s family and network could be the beneficiary or something,” he told Sky Sports radio.

“I wouldn’t really be thinking of delaying a Test match. I didn’t mind a round of Shield matches (being abandoned) because everyone is mates with Phil.

“My thought would be to play on and represent him and what he and his family are going through.”

The attention of cricket officials is currently on Hughes, not the Gabba Test.

“In regards to those fixtures later on, that’s not something we’ve had any specific conversations on yet,” Australian Cricketers Association chief Alistair Nicholson said on Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...