The sudden and accidental death of Phillip Hughes after being hit by a cricket ball is desperately sad, a tragedy for the young man and his family.  These are not the sorts of outcomes that are expected from a game of cricket, no matter what level of competition.

As many have said Mr Hughes’ death certainly puts into perspective the importance or otherwise of success in sporting endeavour. The famous comment by Liverpool Football Club Manager, Bill Shankly that –

Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that”

rings very hollow when placed against the events at the SCG on Tuesday of this week.

This is no time, however, for the sort of woolly thinking that has led to the relatively widespread contention that this tragedy should result in the cancellation of the First Test against the Indian cricket team scheduled to commence next week.  While the shock and almost despair of the first-class cricketing fraternity is understandable, what is to be served by such a decision?

More importantly, this train of thought suggests an absence of consideration of what would be the view of Mr Hughes himself, were he in a position to comment.  Surely, as one of Australia’s finest with a strong regard for the game (witness his determination to return to Test cricket, having previously been dropped from the team no fewer than three times) he would see the central importance of moving forward.

Additionally, if the cancellation of the First Test is in some way intended to be a mark of respect for Mr Hughes does this not at least infer that it will be alright to recommence Test cricket a little later, after his death has been somewhat forgotten. When might that be?  How quickly might we forget?

I would argue that the next week’s Test should be held as a celebration of the life of Phillip Hughes to ensure that he is remembered not just next week but during every future First Test of the summer.

There is of course the question of whether or not those likely to be selected to play in the First Test Australian team feel that they are able to do so.  This will depend on individual circumstances and the degree to which each individual has been affected by the tragedy.  This should be managed by Cricket Australia making clear to each individual selected that the decision to play or not is a matter for each person and whatever each decides will not be a factor in future selection prospects.