After Phil Hughes’ duck on debut, many have questioned his ability to be the opening batsman in the Australian Test side.
With some outstanding performances in first-class cricket lately, Hughes found himself in the Australia A side, knocking up two centuries in the four games he played before being selected in the Test team.
There’s no doubt he has the ability to open the batting for the Australians, but when it comes to performing, Hughes doesn’t seem up to scratch.
With an average of 37.52 the left-hander finds himself at the lower end of Australia’s batting averages, not a feat to be proud of as an opener.
In his 12 Test matches he’s walked out to bat 22 times. Twice he has scored a century, and 19 times has lost his wicket for less than 50 runs.
Of late, Hughes has been in great form in first-class cricket but seems to struggle with the pressure of Tests.
In the current series against Sri Lanka, he has thrown his wicket away in all three innings, building a solid start and getting himself out with stupid, unnecessary shots.
Averaging only 25 in the series so far he really needs to lift his game in order to stay in the side and show Australia, and the critics, that he should be a Test opener for Australia.
jamesb
Guest
Phil Hughes, in or out? in
Harry
Guest
I completely agree. Marsh to open with watson. Have ponting and khawaja in next. Phil doesn't have the technique to play international cricket yet. His back foot defence is really shaky.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
What sort of shot was he playing.
formeropenside
Guest
Out, and for a duck, actually.
cdavi267
Roar Rookie
No No No. Shaun Marsh, the replacement for Hussey when he retires, needs experience before he has to play all the time. He just needs to be given a bit of a go, then go back to state cricket, work on his batting there, and then given another go at the big league. The selectors, who are absoulutely terrible, need to think ahead and work out that the Ozzie cricket team isn't going to be like this forever. Now I have just heard that the idiots have dropped Kawaja and given Phil another go. Kawaja, in my perspective, is much better than Hughes any day of the week.
cdavi267
Roar Rookie
Yeah, it is a bit of a worry. I really think that after the Sri Lanka v Australia game in Columbo, Shaun Marsh should get the openning bat instead of Phil. Phil might be a good state cricketer but when it comes to the big boys league, not up to scratch.
Lolly
Guest
He's only 22 and should be kept till at least the end of the SA tour. You don't drop a player like Katich for Hughes then not give him enough rope if you know what I mean. I don't like watching him bat at all, but he needs to be given a proper run of at least 8 test from the beginning of the Sri Lanka tour. Clarke's form is at least as much of a worry as is Punter's. And they are equally prone to throwing their wicket away. Marsh hopefully will drop straight out again as I can't see the point in short-term leases for now.
Rugby Reg
Guest
a straight swap marsh for hughes should do the trick. Khawaja is class. one the subject of dropping people Mitch has been hopeless for the last year. also paine for haddin as well
Johnno
Guest
Bring back Kat.
Brett McKay
Guest
most immediately Jason, I think he has to stay (I think there's a better-than-even chance that Marsh might drop straight back out), but he will need big runs in South Africa and then at the start of the Shield season, to hold his place for Brisbane..
Chris
Guest
i think he has the potential to go on with it, and is still young, so it is worthwhile standing by a selection for a change instead of chopping and changing. a bit of stability would go a long way to settling down nerves. I would like to see a First XI resembling something like this for game 3: Hughes Khawaja/Marsh Ponting Clarke Hussey Watson Haddin Johnson Harris Copeland Lyon Dropping Watson down would ease some of his burden, and would give the young guys more exposure at the top of the order.
Chris
Guest
I think dropping him half-way through the Ashes was a colossal mistake. All that did was make him very nervous about about whether the selectors were actually prepared to back him and give him time to work himself back into form. I would propose the best thing for Australian cricket is to drop Watson down to the middle order and bring Simon Katich back to open with Hughes. That way you have a seasoned, calming influence to mentor Hughes while he finds his feet, you bring the best performing batsman of the past two years back into the team, and you reduce the physical toll on Watson. Everybody wins.
Johnno
Guest
Out.