MUMBAI: The Hughes family has confirmed funeral arrangements for their son Phillip. The funeral will take place at 2 pm on 3 December in the Hughes family’s home town 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 in the hall, overflow areas will be made 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 Cricket Australia’s website and app.
Qantas has scheduled two additional B737 services between Sydney and Coffs Harbour on Wednesday to assist people wishing to attend the funeral. Qantas has provided these services purely on a cost recovery basis. Additional services may be scheduled in coming days.
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.” he added.
Cricket Australia has asked that the privacy of the Hughes family and friends continue to be respected in the lead up to Wednesday’s funeral. The SCG Trust and Adelaide Oval will also show Phillip's funeral service live on their big screens.
Cricket Australia has also announced that the first Commonwealth Bank Test match between Australia and India will not start on Thursday 4 December as scheduled. Details around the Test match are still to be determined.
Sutherland informed, “We appreciate the incredible understanding and support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. It has been nothing short of outstanding during these difficult times. 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.”
Ticket sales for the Test have been suspended. Fans have been asked to hold onto their tickets until further notice.
