The funeral of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who passed away Thursday after being struck on the head by a bouncer, will take place Wednesday, Dec 3.
The Hughes family Saturday confirmed funeral arrangements for their son Phillip, Cricket Australia (CA) said in a statement.
The funeral will take place at 2.00 p.m. Wednesday in the Hughes family’s hometown of Macksville in northern New South Wales.
It will be held in the sports hall of Macksville High School where Phillip was educated. Given the limited capacity of the hall, overflow areas will be available for guests to watch the service via vision screens set up on the school’s two ovals.
The service will be broadcast live by the Nine Network with provisions made for all other television networks.
ABC Local Radio and the Fairfax Radio Network will also broadcast the service live around the country. It will also be streamed live on CA’s website and app.
Qantas has scheduled two additional flights between Sydney and Coffs Harbour Wednesday for people wishing to attend the funeral.
Qantas has provided these services purely on a cost recovery basis. Additional services may be scheduled in the coming days.
The journey from Coffs Harbour to Macksville is approximately 45 minutes by car.
CA Chief Executive James Sutherland said: “We are grateful to the Australian community for the overwhelming show of support it has extended to the Hughes family in recent days. The offers of assistance for Wednesday’s service have been remarkable.
“While we know that people from all around the nation want to pay their respects to Phillip, there will only be limited capacity in Macksville, so the work of our broadcasters will help ensure people around the country can follow the service on TV, radio and online.”
The SCG Trust and Adelaide Oval will also show Phillip’s funeral service live on their big screen.
Cricket Australia (CA) announced that the first Test match between Australia and India, due to start Thursday would be rescheduled, following the tragic death of batsman Phillip Hughes from a bouncer during a domestic match.
Details about the Test match are still to be determined, a CA statement said.
“These are extraordinary circumstances and we simply couldn’t or wouldn’t expect our players to be emotionally ready to start a Test match the day after farewelling one of their teammates. Their welfare is our absolute priority. They are grieving and to expect that they could play a high-pressured, five-day Test match the following day is out of the question,” CA chief executive Sutherland said.
Hughes was struck on the head in a Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground Tuesday by a bouncer that fractured his skull. He suffered massive bleeding in his brain and died in a Sydney hospital Thursday.
CA thanked the Indian cricket board for supporting the decision.
“We appreciate the incredible understanding and support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It has been nothing short of outstanding during these difficult times. We fully acknowledge the many groups who want to know when the Test will take place, particularly cricket fans in Queensland, Queensland Cricket and Stadiums Queensland.”
CA also asked for patience from the cricketing community in the wake of the tragic incident.
“We just ask the cricket community for some patience as we work through a range of scenarios in full consultation with the players, the Indian Board, the ICC and our broadcasters. We hope to resolve all matters in the next few days and will let cricket fans and the game’s many important stakeholders know as a priority.”
The ticket sales for the Test have also been 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. Fans should simply hold onto their tickets until further notice,” Sutherland said.