Uzzy and Phil: cricket's odd couple

Australia have lost their former captain and one of their best batsmen to retirement, and both are irreplaceable. But changed circumstances warrant flexible thinking.

Now that the selectors have found a place for them, Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja must be given the space and confidence to find their way back.

The two young men have returned in different circumstances. Hughes was welcomed back following the retirement of former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting, and Khawaja found himself on injury cover for Michael Clarke throughout the 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka. Each now finds himself making an ODI debut in the upcoming series.

For Hughes in particular, he suddenly steps up as one of the more experienced batsmen in the team, while Khawaja finds himself part of a batting line up that is yet to discover itself.

To add intrigue to an already interesting set of circumstances is the long term future of Ed Cowan, with many predicting a return to the opening position for vice-captain Shane Watson. Following his most recent injury, Watson is expected to play as a batsman only. Khawaja can go a long way to easing the constant speculation by shoring up the middle order.

There’s that much cricket now, batsmen must learn to adapt. The more cricket you play the better you cope with changing conditions and formats.

Increased exposure to different conditions and game types with English county club Worcestershire has clearly helped Hughes’s development. He has looked a different player. For the first time, he has looked like he ‘belonged.’

Hughes will join an inexperienced batting line-up in the first two ODIs, with Aaron Finch and Khawaja likely to be prominent in the upper order with several veterans either retired or being rested.

Both Hughes and Khawaja walk into a tough assignment over the next 12 months. The Test series in India will be followed by 10 back-to-back Ashes Tests, and it won’t be a job for the faint hearted. Conditions in India are not going to be easy.

To give themselves the best chance, Australia must pick their best available XI, not merely invest in hope. The question that needs to be answered is, are selectors investing in hope with Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja?