Hughes hopeful of another chance

Cricket365
August 15, 2013

Australia batsman Phil Hughes is not sulking in a corner after being dropped from the Ashes side, and is instead working with former batsman Justin Langer on his technique while biding his time for another chance.

Hughes was dropped after the second Test at Lord's after scoring just two runs in the game, but some felt that was harsh as he'd made a gritty half century in the first Test, as well as other half tons in tour matches before and since.

He was replaced in the side by Usman Khawaja, one of nine batsmen to have played at number three in the past three years. Khawaja has hardly covered himself in glory though, scoring 25 runs in Manchester and 21 in Durham.

Hughes acknowledged the large array of number threes, saying: "A lot of people have had a go at it over the last couple of years.

"I'd love another go. Anyone would. I suppose the Australian summer I came in and slotted into No.3 in the Test match form and the one-day form and I enjoyed that.

"But as I said it doesn't matter. Usman is there now and I'm sure he'll do a good job there. And that's just how it is.

"Hopefully one day, sooner rather than later I'll get another crack."

Hughes isn't a stranger to finding himself on the sidelines, after being dropped during the 2009 Ashes, and again after the series against New Zealand in 2011. He does have the best First Class tour average of the current side (62.28).

The batsman isn't letting his role as drinks carrier get him down, saying: "It's never easy to be dropped. But I feel that one (after New Zealand) was tougher than this one.

"It's not something I'm overly concerned about. I feel like I'm in a really good place. I feel like my confidence isn't shot at all."