Fate of Gabba Test still to be decided

Cricket Australia is still in discussions with the players' representative body, the Australian Cricketers' Association, as well as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to determine what will become of the now postponed Gabba Test against India.

The four-Test series was slated to start on Thursday but has been delayed so players can attend Phillip Hughes's funeral at Macksville High School on Wednesday.

The India squad will not travel to Brisbane today, as they had been expected to do so, and will instead remain in Adelaide. CA announced: "The Indian side will remain in Adelaide until details for the first Test have been confirmed." 

CA remained locked in discussions with its Indian counterpart, the ACA and other stakeholders including broadcast partners on Sunday, but chief executive James Sutherland's priority is the welfare of those mourning the desperately unlucky death of a close friend.

A range of scenarios are being looked at.

The game could start later this week, be rescheduled for later in summer, or abandoned completely.

At the moment, ticket sales for the Brisbane Test are suspended.

“We know that there are many people who have purchased tickets to the Test match who will be wondering what happens next? Once the situation has been resolved, we will advise them as a priority,” Sutherland said.

“Fans should simply hold onto their tickets until further notice.”

The big question is when players will feel ready for the toughest Test of their cricket careers.

Australian Cricketers' Association chief Alastair Nicholson asked for patience on Saturday regarding the uncertainty.

"The players are going through a grieving process and they must be afforded the opportunity to do so. As anyone can appreciate, this process doesn't run according to a clock or a calendar," Nicholson said.

"This is a unique situation and a unique response is required."

Hughes' life was celebrated with a number of touching tributes on Sunday, which should have been the left-hander's 26th birthday.

Captain Michael Clarke, a day after wiping away tears while delivering a prepared statement on behalf of Australia's cricket team, was again a source of poignancy.

Clarke wrote a personal tribute (read here), describing Hughes as the most loyal and generous-spirited teammate and saying how proud he was to describe him as the brother he never had.

Clarke and his teammates have returned to their homes but will descend on Hughes' hometown Macksville, on the NSW mid-north coast, for Wednesday's funeral.