You’ve got to admire a tenacious and dedicated bloke like Phil Hughes. If you don’t agree, just take a look back at his career thus far under the oppressive eye of the often-demanding Australian cricketing public.
His time on the scene has been a mosaic of gut-busting scraps for credit on the back of demoralising pitfalls, highly-spirited displays of steel in the face of adversity and symbolic bird-flipping with the willow to the disbelievers.
His helter-skelter batting mojo has been widely questioned and collectively bagged. The caboose of his pastoral technique has been kicked ad infinitum.
Each time he’s been on the back page next to a guillotine, Hughes has taken it firmly on the chin and grafted his way back into calculations by throwing the kitchen sink at his shortcomings.
The Macksville Mauler has never been afraid to put his modus operandi up on the hoist for re-tootling, all in the name of getting back to contribute to the cause at national level.
There’s been rebuilding, rehashing and restyling, with special attention given to the short ball, the wide ball, the full ball and the spinning ball. There’s been head reading, one-on-one tutoring and tactical re-booting.
He’s buggered off overseas, came back to Sydney, returned to Macksville, played some grade cricket and shifted interstate.
The whole time he’s been following the educated public’s orders on what he needs to improve on, he’s maintained a quiet dignity, an unassuming nature and a willingness to go and get his hands dirty, all in the name of rising his average by a stock point or two and getting his scone back on the radar.
It’s hard not to like the bloke, and frankly, he deserves better. It is for this reason that I am imploring the selectors to never pick him for Australia again.
Hughes has been dragged through enough public sludge and is far too admirable to have another chapter added to his story of international tragedy and torment.
I’m sure many would disagree, especially the untrained eyes not privy to past wounds and those from the ‘corner turned’ line of thinking who have been seduced by his new-look game and scattering of fine innings so far this summer.
With one ton and three sparkling 50s across all forms, including a couple on the foliage of the Gabba, you could be forgiven for believing this is the Hughes we’ve been impatiently waiting upon.
Sure, I attest that he probably appears heavily pregnant with a litter of oversized scores at the moment. But don’t be fooled.
What appears as an eight month, third trimester bulging bump of potential top-line plundering and match-winning produce under the Hughes vest is nothing more than a pillow full of duck feathers.
His magical and seemingly never-ending domestic domination is only transferable at international level for a painfully cautious innings for himself, ants-pants anxiety for Australian devotees and a basket full of match-scenario catching practice for Martin Guptill.
Wearing the Baggy Green is the Hughes kryptonite. It renders his deadeye dead and his inflated crease presence wilted before totally sucking any semblance of good form from his body. He doesn’t deserve to deal with its burden and should be given the respite from it he’s worked for.
So if the South African or Sri Lankan quicks get the upper hand this summer and our top order splutters, let’s lobby the selectors to forget the team and think of the wellbeing of Hughes first and foremost.
John Inverarity and his panel need to do the right thing by an honest, hard-working Aussie fella who deserves some good luck and positive vibes.
When it comes to Phil Hughes: please, don’t go there.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Yeah that's a little disappointing! Phil has still got another chance in the 2nd dig. Don't like Phil having to bat out of position though. He's an opener.
Red Kev
Guest
I was thinking the same thing, shame he just got bowled for 5.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
With Cowan failing for Tasmania and Warner failing for NSW in their respective first innings, if Phil can get a big one against the tourists he must be close to breaking the door down!
jameswm
Guest
Sorry, never heard of him!
Hansie
Guest
I worry about Watson facing spin, so I prefer him at #3 or #4.
Mark T
Guest
Hi jameswm, I'm sure I meant James Taylor; the English cricketer. Check out his cricinfo page: http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/297635.html
jameswm
Guest
I'm still a bit concerned about a Hughes/Warner opening combination, and there's no no.3. I'm happy for Clarke to bat no higher than 4 (staying at 5 is unnecsssary), and I think Watto has to at at 5 or 6. So we still need another top 3 batsman. Hughes is the best of the rest at the moment and his knocking at the door is gradually getting ouder, but I can't hear more than a tap from anyone else.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
The truth hurts.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
At least he showed up with a level head and some dignity. Hughes' attitude was a vast contrast last season if he was made to play grade. Clarke stated publicly that he wanted to play grade when no-one expected him to.
Rhys
Guest
Red Kev, I like the look of that top six. But will Ponting and Hussey delay its arrival until 2014/15? I think Ponting will make way, but not so sure about Hussey.
jameswm
Guest
Are you sure you meant sweet baby James Taylor? Or maybe Ross Taylor?
Mark T
Guest
I think that there're some interesting comments here. The article is tagged "humor" so I suspect that the author wasn't being serious. I certainly do agree with the sentiment that Phillip Hughes is a hard-working person and a very talented cricketer. If you look at modern day young cricketers (or young people, in general), a big problem is the dichotomy between talent and work ethic. We've got so many young cricketers who have enormous talent but who don't convert the talent into performance and, sadly, don't look like they ever will: Rohit Sharma, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques (until recently), Virender Sehwag (he's done well but arguably could have done better with a stronger work ethic), Alastair Cook (who's finally shown us just how great he is), Ian Bell (same as Alastair Cook), and the list goes on. On the other hand, we have cricketers such as Virat Kohli, Phillip Hughes, Kane Williamson, James Taylor etc. who have enormous talent but also have tremendous work ethic. At the end of the day, talent is like a seed; without proper care it will never grow into the big plant that it's capable of. And in life, you can only ask for two things: talent and work ethic in any particular endeavour. I've followed Hughes' career for 3.5 years and I'm very confident that he'll become an outstanding batsmen. Of course, there's a long road ahead and he needs to keep working hard; nothing's really guaranteed. But, I really believe that he has the talent to become truly great; many of the successful kids in cricket at the moment: Alastair Cook, Virat Kohli etc. only just started their success. Phillip Hughes is really banging the door down in state cricket far more than they ever did. If he can convert his outstanding OD form to the international level, then he can easily rival the top ODI batsmen today. In saying this, I feel sorry for Ed Cowan. He's worked very hard all of his life (for more than a decade) and people don't take this into consideration. He's a person too. I agree that we'll need to see significant improvement in his batting if he's going to be a mainstay in the test arena (which, I sadly doubt will happen) but nevertheless we should be respectful to him. I suspect, however, than Hughes will replace Cowan at some point in the next few months. Good luck to Phillip Hughes; I'm counting on him and I think he'll go very far in life.
jameswm
Guest
and batting at 6 means he has time to chill after his bowling duties, which might be onerous if he's having a good day.
Max
Guest
Do you know why? Every single camera was on him. Every journo was looking for a reason to bag him. If he didn't have a happy face on and grab some sport drinks for the boys, talk to the locals and help with the covers he would have made headlines for the wrong reasons (unjustfully so I must admit). You can keep believing he was over the moon to back in grade cricket but would I be wrong in saying he'd rather wear the baggy green and represent Australia on its biggest stage? You don't need to reply.
Max
Guest
Basically he might become another Simon Katich. In and out and will always perform admirably. If he's good enough, pick him. Who cares about his feelings. If he's playing good cricket I'm pretty sure he'll be feeling good about himself.
Bearfax
Guest
I suspect that in two decades or so we will look back and talk of the tentative beginnings of a champion batsman. This kid knows how to bat and how to score big runs. Every batsman has an Achilles Heel (except maybe Bradman but even he struggled a little during Bodyline). The Matt Hayden pattern seems to be developing here. Matt also had a technique problem, despite being a prolific shield batsman, and needed a little time out before coming back to be arguably Australia's best ever opener. Hughes has the potential to emulate him. It all just depends on how determined and disciplined he is. He's got the ability. Does he have the resolve. From a distance I get the impression he does and I'll be surprised if he isnt in the Australian sides in all forms of the game before the end of summer. As for Cowen. He's a good shield cricketer and plays well and carefully and within his ability. No one can dispute he tries hard and knows how to stick around and all credit to him for that. But he isnt a test cricketer As for Warner, I think he will remain a vulnerable player for a year or two yet until he learns better defensive techniques. But when he's on , he's on and only Watson can compare for his ability to demolish an attack and win you a game in the present Australian team. And I believe he is a better batsman than Watson. He is an ideal match for Hughes, who is steadier and appreciates a batsman at the other end who can blunt the attack and allow him to then score big. Having Watson at No 3 for 50s and 20s matches is fine. But not at test cricket level. He is better at 6. Have Clarke at 3 or bring in young Burns or Khawaja for the position.
jameswm
Guest
Interesting article. Others (like obviously SWaugh) have re-modelled their technique as adults and had success. The top sportsmen are constantly looking in the mirror and re-modelling thir game. Look at Richie McCaw.
jameswm
Guest
They're very harsh words tailender.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
I will admit he is starting to make a turn in the right direction. However, what has been a big weakness for him in the past has been his work ethic. As I've said already, someone as talented as him should be playing at the top level, but not until he fulfils his potential.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
If you read my comment correctly, it says that I want him to succeed. We need him to fulfil his potential. But, he has his own issues to deal with, and more importantly, his own development as a player would benefit from having to do the hard yards and tough it out in the shield for a while. That way he can fine tune his own game and then when he gets another shot (which I have no doubts he will) he can play within himself and be comfortable at the top level.