Cricket Australia has reportedly promised a flexible attitude to preparations for the first Test between India and Australia and they would strongly consider calling in extra squad members to cover the possibility that some players might not be emotionally ready to take the field.
Also captain Michael Clarke would be given every chance to prove his fitness. CA has promised a flexible attitude to preparations for the match starting in Adelaide on Tuesday, as they are fully aware that this would be an incredibly difficult experience for many.
The 12-man squad originally named for the Gabba, including Clarke, would travel from Macksville to Adelaide on Thursday for the revised series opener against India and would begin training and preparations on Friday morning, News.com.au reported.
However, national selector Rod Marsh, Australia cricket team coach Darren Lehmann, skipper Clarke and other CA officials reportedly won't hesitate to add back-up personnel to the squad if they feel extra options are needed to cover for potential last-minute withdrawals.
Fast bowler Ryan Harris is one player to already open up and admit that he won't know his mental state until the days following late Phillip Hughes' funeral.
CA psychologist Dr Michael Lloyd would also be on the ground in Adelaide with the team as well as Australian Cricketers Association counselors to be there for players and CA is on guard for all possibilities involving players.
Selectors had wanted Clarke to play a first-class match before returning to the Test arena, but that was before Hughes' tragic passing changed everything. Now with priorities and perspectives changed, CA has recognised the importance of getting the skipper onto the park at all costs.
Clarke remains quietly confident he'll be fit for Adelaide, but such has been his devotion to the Hughes family this past week that he hasn't done as much physio or training as would have originally been the case.
Chief executive James Sutherland stressed that playing would be left entirely up to the individual. He said that it's absolutely up to the individual and any player that is not comfortable or doesn't feel right, or there's medical advice to suggest they're not quite right, then they would obviously understand that.
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