Whenever I hear the name Phillip Hughes, I feel as if it is time to cue the sad violin music.
The 25-year-old has done everything possible to regain his spot in Australia’s Test and ODI squad, but has continuously been snubbed.
In fact, Hughes recently became the first Australian to score a double century in a List A game, and even that was not enough to earn him a place in the national team for the upcoming ODI tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa.
However, I firmly believe that Hughes will continue to fight because he has always done so up until now. Hughes recently said that the new chairman of selectors, Rod Marsh, had supported him and challenged him to continue making big scores.
But despite receiving a lot of praise from Marsh, Hughes could not hide his disappointment after finding out that he would not be travelling with the national team to Zimbabwe.
“I was really disappointed to not get selected for that [Zimbabwe tour], but that’s how it is,” Hughes said.
“All I can do is continue to play some consistent cricket. I’m happy with my game at the moment. I’ve had a good chat with Rod Marsh and he’s been really good.
“That chat stays between me and Rod, but it’s about scoring a lot more runs and everything takes care of itself.
“They only took 14 to Zimbabwe, so it’s not many in the squad. There wasn’t really room for me, and that’s what he said.”
Hughes has every right to be disappointed. In the two four-day matches he played against India A, he scored 146 runs at a brilliant average of 73. He followed that up with 332 runs, which included a double century and two half-centuries at a sensational average of 110.66, in four matches during the Quadrangular A-Team One-Day Series.
This is more than enough proof to show why Hughes belongs in Australia’s Test and ODI squad.
Up until today, Hughes has represented Australia in 26 Tests and 20 ODIs and averages 32.65 and 36.66 respectively. While the averages themselves are quite impressive, there is a reason why Hughes was dropped. But it is necessary to take a trip back in time.
If we look at Hughes’ Test career, we can clearly see that it started off with a bang as he scored 75 on debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in February 2009. He followed that up with scores of 115 and 160 in Durban. However, things went downhill from that point as Hughes only managed to score one more century in his next 24 Tests, which came against Sri Lanka in September 2011.
On the other hand, it should be noted that Hughes surpassed the half-century mark on six other occasions but failed to convert them into triple figure scores.
There is a rather similar pattern when it comes to Hughes’ ODI career as he scored 112 against Sri Lanka on debut in Sydney and 138 just 12 days later in Hobart. But, just like his Test career, things started to go awry as he failed to score any more centuries. However, he did manage to go past fifty on two other occasions.
After analysing Hughes’ Test and ODI career, we can see that bad form and the inability to convert starts into bigger scores were the two main reasons he was dropped. But looking at his recent performances, Hughes doesn’t seem to have that problem anymore. It seems as if he has rectified his errors and is more than ready for another shot on the international stage.
One person who has already backed Hughes to return and become a formidable player is Michael Clarke. The Australian captain recently said that Hughes had the potential to be a “100-Test player” and is someone who “continues to score big runs”.
“I think Hughesy is a really good example of someone who continues to score big runs,” Clarke told ABC Radio earlier this week.
“Look at his first-class record, he’s probably got more hundreds than any other player at his age. He’s making runs consistently for Australia A, so I think he’s doing everything he can to be in the front of the selectors’ minds.
“I think in 10 years from now, we’ll be talking about Phillip Hughes as one of those players to play 100 Test matches for Australia. He’s got the talent, he’s got the work ethic.
“I guess what I love most about Hughesy is his passion and want to play for Australia.”
Clarke sums up Hughes perfectly. A fighter who has played at the international level and is determined to make his comeback, no matter how hard it may be.
Hughes is definitely someone to keep an eye on in the near future as he possesses an unlimited amount of talent, a hardworking attitude and mindset, the strive to constantly become better and, most importantly, the undying passion to represent his country and don the baggy green once again.
Follow Bimal on Twitter @BimalMirwani
Tom from Perth
Guest
At least one more shield season hopefully. Hughes to replace the first of Rogers or Doolan to leave. Then get Silk in there. I'd also be telling him to stop playing List A cricket and T20. It's not his natural game and he looks like a bit of a goose scoring at a SR of 50, and I don't think it helps his chances of test selection.
bearfax
Guest
Lets see Silk for one more Shield season. He looks the goods and as I've suggested before has a lot of Mark Taylor about him. Maybe a taste of test cricket to start to get him on his way
Tom from Perth
Guest
Wise words
bearfax
Guest
But Rellum, that's purely hypothetical. Same as saying Geoff Marsh was a good opener. We dont have the advantage of comparing on that level. All we have are the numbers and quite frankly I would want someone who produces by scoring any day over a player showing grit but no runs. That argument was used as an excuse for Cowan getting such a long run (though Cowan has improved quite a bit in recent times).
Rellum
Roar Guru
You guys are talking pure numbers here, for all we know Waugh was showing true grit even though he wasn't getting the runs. Cricket selectors love that. Hughes may not have show the same confidence. My point is Waugh may have got a longer run in tests for more than just his numbers, Of course he was selected as an all-rounder so his bowling also kept him in the team also.
T Bone
Guest
Rellum
Roar Guru
BHT, I think that is my bad.
blanco
Guest
Silk is destine to play for Australia.I"ve always rated Maddinson.To me though the batter (outside the test squad) that stood out for me is Sam Whiteman.Came to know thereafter he is also a very accomplish keeper.
bearfax
Guest
He improved a little BHT but he was never more than a part timer with the ball and up to the equal number of tests Hughes has so far played, he was averaging less with the bat and was only getting a little over one wicket per match for a heap of runs. The point I am trying to make is that given a lot more tolerance (dropped once for his brother and only briefly) Steve gained the confidence he needed and became the outstanding batting star he was destined to be. I'm suggesting, despite the difference in style etc, that these two traveled a similar course with their run scoring and I suspect soon Hughes will follow Waugh's example. Just imagine if he had scored his 100 not out and 243 not out that he made in Aus A four day matches recently, in the test arena. His average would now be up near 40 and we would be lauding a new champion batsman on the rise. He needs the opportunity asap while he's hot.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I see Warner, Hughes and SIlk as our long term top 3. I don't really care which way round they put Hughes and Silk. It's a good combination of technique, right/left handers, temperament and style. Clarke and Smith to follow, with our batting all rounder (which longer term seems to be Maxwell) at 6 and Whiteman at 7. There'll be a battle in 1-5 years for Clarke's spot, depending on when his back gets the better of him. Lynn, Maddinson, Head, even Doran can be battling for that spot. Personally unless Doolan does very well in the UAE, I'd slot Hughes in at 3 for India in Australia. Get a word in Silk's ear to make the Shield his no.1 priority and to score big often.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Come on, he was pretty young (and still is). He has a right to improve.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nah I reckon he'll be back. I'd have Harris and Bird in for Pattinson and Cummins, with Starc ahead of Cummins. Bird is a masively underrated bowler - when he plays, his results are fantastic. Tall, quick enough, accurate, moves it. Hard to get away, puts the ball in the right areas. Would be fantastic at first change. Johnson, Harris, Bird, Pattinson, Starc, Siddle, Sayers, Faulkner - that's about my order at the moment. Can't rate Cummins because he's played so little. If Maxie does well batting at 6 (assuming he does) in the UAE, it might spell the end of Watto's test career. I'm happy with Hughes at 3 and Whiteman at 7.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Maybe he's improved since then? Have you seen him bat in the last 2-3 years?
bearfax
Guest
I was showing that after 26 tests, the same number Hughes has played, Waugh was averaging less than 30 with the bat and was 3 runs less than Hughes on average. What boosted Waugh's average were three not out scores that followed, they being 177, 152 and 21. Waugh was poor throughout his first 26 tests and worse than Hughes having failed to score one century in that time. I've already demonstrated that his not out scores inflated his average. Further he was playing down the list, whereas Hughes has been opening or first drop. You surely cant argue that the bowling isnt more difficult to handle at the beginning of an innings, though it may become problematic on the fifth day with spin. Waugh did not show an improvement in his batting until after the 26th test.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Phil Hughes has missed out on the Ashes 2013-14 Schedule and the Carlton Mid ODI Series and the KFC T20 International Against England. I think that he should be selected for the 2014-15 cricket season when he decides to bat for number 2.
Ash
Guest
I think he has one more extended run in the test team left. Hughes has always been an incredibly good domestic performer but isn't able to replicate it in international cricket. His problem is his technique - his high backlift and lack of knowledge of his off stump means he edges to slips way too often. I also think giving him some ODIs will give him the international experience that he so desperately needs. One chance for P.Hughes before moving on to someone else.
Ami
Guest
He has failed 3 times already hence we can't get too excited unless he proves us wrong.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Hang on Bearfax...I know you love the Steve Waugh comparison with Hughes but let's at least get it right. Hughes has played 49 Test innings and averages 33. After 49 Test innings, Waugh was averaging 40. You are also neglecting to point out that Waugh in those early stages of his career was in the Test team as an all-rounder not a specialist top order batsman like Hughes. Waugh was bowling a lot of overs in that first part of his career and that helped keep him in the side when he wasn't scoring tons.
Broken-hearted toy
Guest
I was responding more to Bearfax than you. I should have made that clearer.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I am comparing them with Smith, less so with Maxwell as I don't rate him as a FC batsmen yet unlike most here. I am not comparing them to Hughes.