Hughes Hoping for Ashes Recall



Sheffield Shield
Victoria 118
South Australia 163/3
M.C.G.
Stumps Day 1

South Australia opener Phillip Hughes gave Cricket Australia selectors a timely nudge in the ribs with an unbeaten 77 to put his side in command against a below par Victoria at the MCG.

After skittling the hosts for a miserly first innings total of 118 - in which the effusive Dan Christian top scored with a determined 39 – Hughes set about proving his capabilities and went to task with typical diligence.

His compact and unorthodox stance troubled what was, in truth, a mediocre pace attack and anything square of the wicket got ‘the treatment’.

Hughes, who breezed past his half century off 96 balls, was ably helped by Tom Cooper to rattle off a devastating 107 run partnership for the third wicket.

Most intriguing for Australian coach Darren Lehmann – himself a left hander who had to bide his time before donning the baggy green – will be Hughes’ adeptness at playing the short delivery. Victoria quick Scott Boland (2/30) peppered the opener with bouncers for prolonged periods but to no avail.

The bouncer is the one area which troubled the current incumbent of an openers spot in veteran Chris Rogers; the 36 year old returning just 1 and 16 in the first Ashes test in Brisbane.

Hughes turns 25 years old tomorrow, if he keeps his head, his birthday might not be all he is left celebrating.

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