Lehmann insists Oz squad under 'no pressure' to play first Test post Hughes' demise

Australia cricket team coach Darren Lehmann has insisted that there is no pressure on his players to play the first Test against India although he said that he hopes the squad can 'honour' late batsman Phillip Hughes by doing so.

The entire Australian Test squad, along with domestic cricketers from around the country, travelled to Macksville on Wednesday for Hughes' funeral. Hughes passed away, aged 25, on Thursday after he succumbed to an injury from a bouncer that hit him during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG last week.

There were emotional scenes as the players bid farewell to their mate, but a day later the Test stars would attempt to resume some sense of normality by travelling to Adelaide to prepare for the first Test, which starts next Tuesday, News.com.au reported.

Cricket Australia rescheduled the Test series keeping in mind the players' welfare, and it has been suggested that from a psychological perspective, the best thing Hughes' former teammates can do is get back out on the pitch.

While writing a touching column for The Australian, Lehmann stated that those playing the Test next week would be representing more than just their country. He hopes the boys could find the inner strength to play the game in the way Hughes would have wanted in Adelaide next week and that they could honour what the late batsman had done.

Lehmann revealed that they want to hold his values close to their heart and that means playing cricket the way the Australian did, with a love of the game and a smile.

He admitted that it's going to be hard and if somebody was struggling skipper Michael Clarke and he can understand, adding that there is no pressure on them.

Lehmann claimed that they would look after them and would help them get back to the place where they can play.

The Australians are due to resume training on Friday, while CA has announced that the round of Sheffield Shield matches that were due to begin this week have been shifted until next Tuesday, the report added.