SYDNEY: Phil Hughes is in line to replace newly retired Ricky Ponting after being named yesterday in the Australian squad for the opening Test against Sri Lanka, starting in Hobart next week.
Hughes, who has played for his country 17 times as an opener, was preferred ahead of Rob Quiney and Usman Khawaja to fill the void left by the retired Ponting. The 24-year-old has satisfied selectors that he has overcome technical issues which made him vulnerable to the rising ball and which led to his axing in the past.
“It is actually really special this time,” said Hughes. “The sacrifices that I have made in the last 12 months have been quite big. I knew I had to do them so to me, I can go in there with a fresh mind.”
Skipper Michael Clarke has still to decide on his batting order against Sri Lanka, but the opening pair of David Warner and Ed Cowan are expected to remain leaving Hughes seen as coming in at number three.
Chief selector John Inverarity is confident Hughes has now made the necessary tweaks to his game to succeed at the highest level.
“We look to Hughes to be one of our players for the future - a real long-term player,” said Inverarity. “I think he’s developed his game and it’s much harder now for bowlers, in a sense, to corner him.”
Selectors also recalled pace bowlers Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus for the December 14-18 Hobart Test.
Australia Test squad
Michael Clarke (c), Shane Watson, David Warner, Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Mike Hussey, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon
Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2012.
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