Without hitting a ball, Phil Hughes’ Test stocks have risen.
The batsman was a touring spectator to Australia’s batting carnage in the humbling 2-0 series loss to Pakistan.
“It was extremely tough,” Hughes told reporters in Adelaide on Thursday.
“It was just disappointing to get the results that we did as a squad, but that happens.”
The series loss has created pressure on Test batting incumbents but Hughes was diplomatic about his chances of earning a recall.
“I was working my backside off in the nets and just trying to improve in the turning conditions,” he said.
“The opportunity didn’t come up but I was happy just to be on that tour.
“I love touring with the boys. I love being that spare batsmen in case there’s an injury or someone goes down.
“You have just got to make sure you’re ready. And that is all my focus has been over the last 12 months, making sure I’m ready if an opportunity comes up.
“I know I’m there or thereabouts.”
Hughes, who will return as an opening bat for South Australia in the day-night Sheffield Shield match against NSW starting Saturday, said all he could focus on was making runs for the Redbacks.
“If you look over the last 12 months, all the (Test) boys have really put their hand up and been very consistent,” he said.
“The side has done very well in winning the Ashes five-nil and also winning in South Africa.
“The last tour in the UAE was disappointing. But I think if you look at it and be serious about it, it’s only two losses over the last 12 months.
“It’s quite funny that a lot of opinions start coming out when you lose a game or two.
“But the way I see it is the boys are still firing and no doubt will fire this summer.”
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