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Australia's national cricket team have taken to the field again, for the first time since the death of Phillip Hughes. Sean Abbott, the bowler who struck Hughes on the head, was also in action for New South Wales.
Australia's national cricket team has taken to the field for the first time since the death of national team batsman Phillip Hughes, in what was an emotional first day back in action against India at the Adelaide Oval.
Play started on Tuesday with a video tribute to Hughes, played on the stadium's big screen and narrated by former Australian player and renowned TV commentator Richie Benaud. After the video there was 63 seconds of applause, in recognition of Hughes's final innings score. Both teams took to the field in black armbands.
The first five-day match of the summer series had already been delayed by five days to allow Australian team members time to mourn and attend a funeral for Hughes, who was struck on the back of the head during a domestic state game between South Australia and New South Wales on November 25. The change of schedule also required a change of venue, from Brisbane to Adelaide.
Warner battles on
Australian batsman David Warner, who was with his opening partner throughout the traumatic events at the SCG, did not allow emotions to get the better of him in Adelaide though, scoring an attacking 145 on the first day. It was his tenth century and "his best," he said at the end of day press conference.
"I just had a gut feeling that my little mate was with me the whole time, from ball one," Warner said, referring to Hughes. "He would have been up the other end, laughing with me, about all the support that he received from around the world."
"I don't think he would have believed the amount of messages he received. He probably would have been quite embarrassed actually," Warner added, before dedicating his innings to Hughes.
Australian captain Michael Clarke, who was in tears during the pre-game tribute to Hughes, had to retire hurt after injuring his back on 60 while avoiding a short ball. The 33-year-old has been plagued by injuries recently related to a degenerative back problem and may play no further part in the game. Australia ended the first day of the match on 354 for 6, after India picked up three late wickets.
Abbott bowls again
Meanwhile, Sean Abbott, the bowler that struck Phillip Hughes in the head, also returned to action in a domestic game at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old paceman bowled a bouncer in his first over and took two wickets for the day, in the state match between NSW and Queensland.
The cricket world has rallied behind Abbott after the death of Hughes. The two players were believed to be good friends although Abbott is yet to comment publicly about the incident, despite attending Hughes' funeral in the player's home town of Macksville last week.
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