Share

Haddin seeks Australia's support

Adelaide - Vice-captain Brad Haddin said on Saturday the Australia team needs the support of fans as it gears up to play an emotional first Test against India in Adelaide next week.

The Australian players are back in training for Tuesday's series opener just days after gathering at Macksville in New South Wales for the funeral of their team-mate Phillip Hughes.

Hughes, 25, died on November 27 from bleeding on the brain, two days after being knocked unconscious by a bouncer in Sydney, plunging the cricketing world into mourning.

"We need the support of the Australian public and everyone leading into this first Test," Haddin told reporters at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

"We're looking forward to playing and we need the help of everyone to enjoy the moment and just enjoy the game of cricket. Our job is to go and play cricket."

Haddin said it would be important not to over complicate things in the wake of the Hughes tragedy and the outpouring of grief over his death.

"I don't think you need to look too deep into what's going to happen. You're going to get a cricket game here on Tuesday, you'll enjoy it and so will we," Haddin said.

"We get back to playing the game we love. I don't think you need to complicate it any more than that."

Haddin was behind the stumps for New South Wales when South Australian batsman Hughes was fatally struck by a bouncer at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The 37-year-old wicketkeeper replied in typical no-nonsense fashion when asked whether he would be mentally right to play the opening Test of the four-match series.

"Yep," was all he said.

Hughes' death and the grief that enveloped the entire Test squad was not mentioned by Haddin on Saturday.

"Cricket is just a game," he said, when asked if the sport will ever be the same again.

"We can try to complicate it as much as we want, but we got back to cricket training. We needed to feel that cricket hurt in our legs again so we got that."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
32% - 1843 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1810 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1100 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 470 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 193 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 261 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE