Michael Clarke to carry Phil Hughes’ coffin among many
Melbourne: Australia captain Michael Clarke will be one of the men, who will be carrying his dear friend Phillip Hughes' coffin, at the funeral service in the deceased cricketer's hometown in Macksville near Sydney on Tuesday.
Cricket Australia on Tuesday announced that Clarke will be one of the pallbearers (someone who helps to carry the casket at funeral service where a pall covers late person) and will lead tributes at the funeral service.
Apart from Clarke, other notable cricketer, who will also be a pallbearer, is Australia's ODI opener Aaron Finch.
Cricket board's chief executive James Sutherland released the details of the funeral service although he refused to commit as to who all will be available for selection, during the rescheduled first Test against India at the Adelaide Oval, starting December 9.
The funeral in Hughes' hometown of Macksville on Wednesday will be attended by the Australian Test squad as well as past and present cricketing greats including Mark Taylor, Sir Richard Hadlee, Brian Lara, Virat Kohli, Ravi Shastri, Shane Warne, Mike Hussey, Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott is also due to attend the service and expected to pay tribute to the late cricketer.
Since the funeral service will be held tomorrow, Cricket Australia yesterday decided to resechedule the itinerary after discussions with BCCI and other stakeholders with Adelaide hosting the first instead of second Test and Gabba Test will be the venue for the second Test starting December 17.
"There is nothing perfect about what we have come up with here but we appreciate everyone's support and understanding in these tragic and extraordinary circumstances," Sutherland told reporters.
The traditional 'Boxing Day' clash in Melbourne remaining unchanged, while the Sydney Test has been pushed back three days and will now start on January 6.