ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) – Australia were 354 for six at stumps after winning the toss Tuesday and batting on the first day of the first cricket Test against India at the Adelaide Oval.
Opening batsman David Warner scored his tenth Test century and dedicated it to former teammate Phil Hughes who died after being struck by a ball.
It was one of several tributes paid to Hughes, from the flowers that lined the Southern Plaza of Adelaide Oval to the “408” painted on the grass.
Hughes was in line to play in the Test, but died 12 days ago in hospital after being hit in the head by a short-pitched delivery in a domestic match.
The Test was delayed for four days to allow the Australia team to mourn, and memories of Hughes were everywhere on a sunny day in Adelaide.
He was the honorary 13th man in Australia’s lineup, and featured in a short video tribute by former Australia captain and commentator Richie Benaud.
Australia players wore No. 408 – Hughes’ test cap number – with black armbands on their shirts, and there was 63 seconds of applause in his honour. Hughes, aged 25, was not out on 63 runs when he was fatally injured at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
India also wore black armbands, hundreds in the crowd also sported the number 63 on their shirts or hats, and others held up “63 Not Out” signs provided by a local daily newspaper.
Meanwhile in Sydney, fast bowler Sean Abbott bowled for the first time since delivering the fateful ball that caused Hughes’ death.
Abbott was handed the ball in the 13th over Tuesday on the first day of a four-day match between his New South Wales state side and Queensland at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
On the same ground on November 25, a short pitched ball bowled by Abbott struck Hughes on the neck. He lost consciousness and died in a Sydney hospital two days later.
Scores: Australia 354-6 (David Warner 145, Steven Smith 72 not out, Michael Clarke retired hurt 60; Mohammed Shami 2-83, Varun Aaron 2-95) vs India.