Phil Hughes’s double century has helped Australia A beat South Africa A by 148 runs in one-day match at Marrara Oval in Darwin.
Hughes made an unbeaten 202, the highest score by a male Australian in a list-A fixture.
He brought up his ton in the 38th over, then went on to score his second 100 in 47 balls, finishing the innings with a six to bring up his double ton.
Moises Henriques supported Hughes at the crease with a career best 90 runs to help Australia A finish their innings at 3-349.
Despite the knock and some instantaneous calls for his return to the top team on social media, Hughes is taking a wait-and-see approach to his chances of joining Michael Clarke’s side once more.
“That was a great feeling to come back, after being away for a week and to get 200. The first time I have ever scored one in this format – it’s a day I will never forget,” Hughes said.
“To help the boys get over the line today was a real good feeling.”
Making the innings more memorable was the battle Hughes faced on a pitch that was a little unpredictable early in the innings, and he was ecstatic with the knock and the one played by Henriques.
“Our plan was to get through that first 15-20 overs, build a partnership and cash in at the end,” he said.
“Moises played beautiful and showed really good intent from ball one, and made my job easier at the other end.
“All I have to do is continue to score consistent runs and help set up and win games for Australia A.
“Everything else is out of my hands and out of all the boys hands. The boys are putting some really good performances on the board individually. It comes down to the selectors at the end of the day.”
Hughes, who has been dealing with family issues dedicated the knock to his ‘pop’.
“I can definitely dedicate this to my pop, especially my dad as well. It’s sad times for the family, but that’s life really and I can give this one to pop.”
Kane Richardson performed with the ball again, taking 4-45 while Cameron White and Cameron Boyce both picked up two wickets each as South Africa A were bowled out in the 38th over, 148 runs short of their target.
jameswm
Roar Guru
That's true Ronan, but Hughes then went back to India for the ODI series, and played the same spinners reasonably well. Playing good spinners in India with no experience can be very tough. Hughes learns, that much is evident.
JGK
Roar Guru
Bugger. I can't recall a batsman who was so plagued by injuries. Usually it is the bowlers. Still, he'll be back for the bulk of the summer.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Chris Lynn is out for five months with a shoulder injury. Really disappointing that, he was perhaps the next cab off the rank for a Test batting spot in my book.
Roy Lynn
Guest
Glad to see Phil Hughes STILL scoring runs Hope Chris Lynn can Score well also, He has tons of ability and what a catch he took
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Hughes is exactly where he should be - playing for Australia A in a who cares one day series in Darwin. I think we should persist with Doolan at No.3 for the test team. He looked pretty solid against South Africa in the last series but didn't cash in on his hard work to make a big score. He has a good solid technique unlike Hughes which is necessary against the better bowling attacks. I still have nightmares reliving Hughes nicking the Kiwi pacemen to second slip time after time and being continually exposed by the Poms and Swan in particular. Frankly he was embarrassing. Hughes was found out before and will be found out again.
Bunratty
Guest
:)
PGJ
Guest
Can't argue with your point about his failings against spin, but he should still have been picked ahead of Shaun Marsh earlier this year. Remember others at the top such as Rogers and Watto aren't that greatest against spin either.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
But his ability to score runs at levels below Test cricket has never been questioned. It's been his inability to be consistent for Australia since that early burst against SA that has held him back. During his last stint in the Test side he was so incredibly poor against spin - as bad as any specialist Test batsman I have ever seen - that he could not be kept in the side, particularly on dry decks being served up in Eng to suit Swann. In that last stint in the side he was out nine times to spin at an average of nine. His rampant ineptitude against spin during that period could potentially haunt him for a while as far as Test selections are concerned.
Clavers
Guest
I remind people, once again, that when Hughes was last dropped from the Test team he was averaging over 60 in the first-class matches (including tests) of the Ashes tour. And on most occasions he had been batting at 3.
Clavers
Guest
... and which South African spinner are you inferring is the best spin bowler in the world?
Clavers
Guest
"Lacklustre attack?" Aussies may not have heard oif these guy s but if they're the bench players for Steyn, Morkel and Philander they can't be too bad. I see Hendricks has a first class bowling average of 20.29 and has played T20 for South Africa. Rabada is only 19 and has played only 4 first-class matches but averages 20.78. He touches 90 mph and took 6 for 25 to rout Australia Under 19s earlier this year. Hughes may not be perfect but I do think he is one of the 6 best test batsmen in the country, at least potentially. He should be put into the test team and given an extended run, preferably at No. 3. If that happened I believe he would get better and better.
Clavers
Guest
The India selectors seem to disagree with you; Dhoni frequently bats at No. 6 in tests. If he only had his keeping skills he would be out of a job. I agree with Frankie. Hughes' technique has not stopped him from scoring heaps of runs in first class cricket, and he usually scores them quickly and at the top of the order when the ball is most dangerous. In fact, in many ways his unorthodoxy helps him. He makes it hard for bowlers to contain him. Hughes should be Australia's No. 3 Test batsman. He not only has the performances and the talent, but he also has the ambitious, combative character that the position needs.
Blackie
Guest
I thought my comment was rather clever at the time. But I fell for the trap hook line and sinker.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Hahaha
JGK
Roar Guru
You get dropped multiple times. You face the crappy part time bowlers and take 100 runs off them in 10 overs on a small ground. etc
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Sorry but how the hell can you get 'lucky' and score 200?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
C'mon Blackie, get with the program!! It was an in-joke given some Roarers think I'm anti Phil Hughes. I'd be as happy as anyone for him to succeed at Test level, he seems like a really pleasant, level-headed fella.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
C'mon Blackie, get with the program!! It was an in-joke given some Roarers think I'm anti Phil Hughes. I'd be as happy as anyone for him to succeed at Test level, he seems like a really pleasant, level-headed fella.
Nudge
Guest
South Africa always better than others? Amla, devilliers Steyn Morkel Philander. Umm, did they play when Australia flogged them in 2 of the 3 tests in South Africa? I've been under a rock for 6 months so forgive me if they did.
ak
Roar Guru
South Africa always better than others. Amla, De Villiers, Steyn, Morkel, Philander. South Africa will beat everyone at 2015 WC. South Africa will beat Australia 3-0 in the next test series. So prepare the team for facing the best - South Africa. Real No 1. Always were. Always are. Always will be.