Melbourne, Dec 1 (IANS): Ending days of speculation, Cricket Australia (CA) Monday confirmed that the first of the four-match Test series against India will be held Dec 9 in Adelaide instead of Brisbane.

The series, which was scheduled to start Dec 4 and was later postponed due to Phillip Hughes' death Nov 27, will now begin Dec 9, CA announced.

"The series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will now commence in Adelaide on the revised date of Tuesday, Dec 9. The Brisbane Test has been rescheduled and will take place from Dec 17 to 21," CA said in a statement.

"The revised timing allows for a three-day break leading into the Brisbane Test and a four-day break ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne for players to adequately prepare."

CA CEO James Sutherland said the changed programme was made due to welfare concerns for Australia's players grieving the loss of their teammate Hughes, who died after being hit on head by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match Nov 25.

Hughes' funeral will take place in the New South Wales town of Macksville Wednesday.

"Nobody should underestimate just what these players are going through right now. These are difficult days and we need to support them in dealing with their grief," Sutherland said.

"It's very clear that playing a Test right now is just too soon and we are reacting accordingly. A concern with these changes has been creating congestion within the cricket calendar by holding four Test matches in 33 days. We knew that if we started any later than 9 December, that congestion would only get worse."

The Sydney Test has also been shifted as a result, with its start date moving to Jan 6 to allow for six-day break for players towards the end of a busy series.

It also enables a five-day break leading into the triangular One-Day International (ODI) Series between Australia, England and India.

Commenting on the decision to start the series in Adelaide, Sutherland said: "While this wasn’t done by design, it is somewhat fitting that the first Test will take place in Adelaide at Phillip’s adopted home ground where we hope the match can be a seen as a celebration of his life."

“We are committed to developing a range of tributes that show just how much Phillip was loved by the Australian cricket community,” he added.

Sutherland also appreciated the continued support and understanding offered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), host broadcasters, the government and commercial partners.

“The BCCI has shown great empathy and understanding which we truly appreciate. They have put the cricket community’s concerns for the Hughes family well ahead of their own preparation," he said.

“Our host broadcasters, government and commercial partners have also been greatly supportive during this period, for which we are thankful.”