Phillip Hughes' Death: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott Pays Tribute in Parliament
Phillip Hughes' death has deeply shaken the cricket fraternity, particularly in Australia where the sport is widely followed. Flags have been flown at half mast and bats left outside front doors as a mark of respect.
Tributes continued to pour in following the tragic death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes. On Monday in the parliament, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Hughes' death "has so affected people, because it happened in the midst of life at its most exuberant."
Hughes died last Thursday, three days before his 26th birthday, after being struck by a short-pitched ball during a Sheffield Shield First-Class match for South Australia against New South Wales.
He was pushing for a recall to the Australian Test line-up in the upcoming home series vs India, and his death shocked cricketers all around the world. (Read: Israeli Umpire Suffers Shocking Death)
Hughes' funeral will be held on Wednesday and the Brisbane Test, which was scheduled to begin on Thursday, has been indefinitely postponed. A range of scenarios are being looked at, including the Test being abandoned completely, although reports suggested rescheduling it was a more likely scenario.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended its friendly arm to help the Australian squad heal from the tragedy and Adelaide, the adopted home town of Hughes, could now be the venue for the first Test.