Cricket365 Player of the Week: Phil Hughes

Australia may have drawn the one-day series against Sri Lanka, though most expected them to win it at a canter, but it was in large part thanks to batsman Phil Hughes, who scored centuries in the two games the Aussies won.

Australia may have drawn the one-day series against Sri Lanka, though most expected them to win it at a canter, but it was in large part thanks to batsman Phil Hughes, who scored centuries in the two games the Aussies won.

Hughes only made his ODI debut in this five-match series, and ended the fifth game as the series top scorer by more than 100 runs. He was the only Aussie to score a century, let alone two, and for saving his side’s blushes, he gets our award this week.

Hughes was hailed as the great hope to replace Ricky Ponting in the top order, and got his break in the Test side when he was recalled in December, after a year out of the team. He scored a valiant 86 upon his return, justifying the selectors’ faith.

They then decided to give him a go in the limited-overs team, and he again took the chance with both hands, scoring a century in his first game, becoming the only Aussie to achieve that feat on ODI debut.

The hosts then lost the next two matches, coincidentally while Hughes went out for three runs both times. The fourth game was rained out, and Hughes seemed to use the rest as a recharge, scoring 138 not out in the final match. This left too big a target for the visitors to chase, and the hosts avoided a series defeat.

Honourable mention this week must go to New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson, whose 145 against the Proteas ensured a first-ever series win for the Kiwis on South African soil. Also, Suresh Raina gets a tip of the hat after leading India home with 89 not out against England to secure the series.

<b>Lindsay du Plessis</b>