CA to hold Hughes tributes ahead of first Test against India

Melbourne, Dec 7 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) will hold a range of tributes to honour the late Phillip Hughes ahead of Tuesday’s first Commonwealth Bank Test against India at the Adelaide Oval.

The Australian players will wear Hughes’ Test cap number 408 on their playing shirts for the match. Players and team management will also wear black armbands in honour of their former team-mate.

Prior to the start of play, the Australian and Indian teams will stand before a large 408 painted on the Adelaide Oval’s playing surface as they observe a video tribute to Hughes, narrated by former Australian Test captain and legendary cricket commentator Richie Benaud.

Following the tribute which will be displayed on the Adelaide Oval’s vision screens, the team and spectators will be asked to stand for 63 seconds of applause in recognition of Hughes’ final unbeaten score.

CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said: “It’s been an incredibly sad time since Phillip’s passing. 

“With the international season re-commencing Tuesday, it is appropriate to pause once more and honour a modest hero who thrilled the nation and in so doing won an enduring place in our hearts. We hope that the cricket community can come together to join the Australian and Indian teams in the pre-match tribute.

"Soon after arriving in Adelaide, Phillip became a crowd favourite playing for Australia, South Australia and the Adelaide Strikers. 

“This is an opportunity for those that embraced him so fondly to say goodbye.

“We hope that followers of the game will make their way to Adelaide Oval to pay tribute to Phillip and support the Australian team at a difficult time.”

The South Australian Cricket Association has advised that the temporary memorial to Hughes, established in the Southern Plaza of the Adelaide Oval will be maintained for the Test match.

The Advertiser newspaper in Adelaide will also publish a commemorative lift-out featuring the words, Phillip Hughes 63 not out, for patrons to display at the match.