New Test schedule confirmed by CA

Cricket Australia has confirmed the Adelaide Oval will host Australia’s first Commonwealth Bank Test against India in a reshuffle of the four-Test series necessitated by last week's tragic death of Phillip Hughes.

Melbourne's Boxing Day Test is the only match unaffected by the overhaul of the summer Test schedule.

The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Series will now start on December 9 in Adelaide and Brisbane will now host the second Test, starting December 17.

The revised timing allows for a three-day break leading into the Brisbane Test and a four-day break ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne for players to adequately prepare, CA said in a statement released on Monday night.

The Sydney Test has also been shifted as a result with its start date moving to January 6 to allow for a six-day break for players towards the end of a busy series.

It also enables a five-day break leading into the Carlton Mid ODI Series between Australia, England and India.

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CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said the program was altered due to welfare concerns for Australia’s players grieving the loss of their teammate, Phillip Hughes, who passed away last week.

Hughes’ funeral will take place in the New South Wales town of Macksville on Wednesday 3 December.

“Nobody should underestimate just what these players are going through right now,” Sutherland said. “These are difficult days and we need to support them in dealing with their grief.

“It’s very clear that playing a Test right now is just too soon and we are reacting accordingly.

“We appreciate the understanding of cricket fans around the country, particularly those in Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney during these highly-difficult times.

“We acknowledge the difficulties this presents within the cricket communities that make these Test matches such terrific occasions. We are grateful to State Cricket Associations and venues in those cities for their understanding and willingness to accommodate such last-minute changes.

“A concern with these changes has been creating congestion within the cricket calendar by holding four Test matches in 33 days. We knew that if we started any later than December 9, that congestion would only get worse.

“We looked at possibly holding the Brisbane Test in the new year following Sydney but we felt that would only compromise the tri-series against England and India which is important preparation for our ICC Cricket World Cup campaign.

“There will be knock-on effects from these decisions which people will obviously want answers to. We will work through them as quickly as we can, but just ask for patience given these unprecedented circumstances.”

Sutherland said starting the Test series in Adelaide is somewhat fitting given that it's Hughes’s adopted home ground “where we hope the match can be a seen as a celebration of his life”.

“We are committed to developing a range of tributes that show just how much Phillip was loved by the Australian cricket community,” Sutherland added.

CA says pre-purchased tickets will be honoured for the revised Test matches while full refunds are also available

Details for ticket purchasers will be communicated via the relevant ticket agency, either Ticketek or Ticketmaster, and CA says it will “contact all Cricket Australia Corporate Hospitality customers shortly”.

Options are available for Qantas customers who are booked to travel and wish to make changes to their flights as a result of the changes to the Test schedule, including re-booking with no change fee.

CA says it is also seeking flexibility with accommodation providers when dealing with cricket fans who have travel bookings that are disrupted by these changes.

Meanwhile, Sutherland has expressed CA’s appreciation with the continued support and understanding offered by the BCCI, host broadcasters, government and commercial partners.

“The BCCI has shown great empathy and understanding which we truly appreciate. They have put the cricket community’s concerns for the Hughes family well ahead of their own preparation,” said Sutherland.

“Our host broadcasters, government and commercial partners have also been greatly supportive during this period for which we are thankful.”

The Australian Cricketers’ Association CEO, Alistair Nicholson, says that after discussions with the players and with support of health experts, the union believed the first Test in Brisbane – initially scheduled to start on December 4 - was still too early for them to return to the field,and that the Adelaide Test presents more time to grieve and mentally prepare.

“Players will look to prepare themselves with the dedication and commitment that is a trademark of our Australian Test cricketers. There is no doubt that their return to the field will be enormously challenging, particularly for those who were present on the SCG last week.

“Asking them to take the field virtually straight after they farewell Phillip at his funeral was just too much. The extra days afforded the players are considered a vital part of their recovery process and we’re pleased that our representations to Cricket Australia were met with a sympathetic ear.

“We also consulted the Hughes family regarding our preference to delay the return to the international stage, and they were very supportive of the players’ need for more more time.

“The outpouring of support from the Australian public is truly appreciated by the national team and all Australian Cricketers’ Association members.”

There will be some changes to the schedule for the KFCT20 Big Bash League, which CA will advise of in detail in the coming weeks.