First Test in Adelaide Dec 9, Brisbane to host 2nd Test

Melbourne, Dec 1: Ending days of speculation, Cricket Australia (CA) Monday confirmed that the first of the four-match Test series against India will be held Dec 9 in Adelaide instead of Brisbane. The series, which was scheduled to start Dec 4 and was later postponed due to Phillip Hughes' death Nov 27, will now begin Dec 9, CA announced. "The series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will now commence in Adelaide on the revised date of Tuesday, Dec 9. The Brisbane Test has been rescheduled and will take place from Dec 17 to 21," CA said in a statement. "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 CEO James Sutherland said the changed programme was made due to welfare concerns for Australia's players grieving the loss of their teammate Hughes, who died after being hit on head by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match Nov 25. Hughes' funeral will take place in the New South Wales town of Macksville Wednesday. The Sydney Test has also been shifted as a result, with its start date moving to Jan 6 to allow for six-day break for players towards the end of a busy series. It also enables a five-day break leading into the triangular One-Day International (ODI) Series between Australia, England and India.