Hughes must improve his ‘awful’ technique for a future in cricket: Jones

SYDNEY - Australian opening batsman Phillip Hughes must get his technique right if he wants to be a part of the national team on a long-term basis, according to former batsman Dean Jones.

Hughes disappointed again by scoring two and 12 in the ongoing third Test, and is yet to make a decent score in his three career Tests against England (71 runs at 14.20).

“Here’s a tip for any young opening batsman. If you keep passing your captain at the gate when the score is not many, you don’t have much of a future in the game,” Jones wrote in article for the Age.

“Phillip Hughes had better start to realize this quickly or he won’t play for Australia for long. With that in mind, he had better improve his technique because that first over he faced at the WACA Ground on Thursday was awful,” he added.

Jones further said that Hughes is talented, but he really needs to work on his premeditative movements.

“He looked nervous, which is OK, but his balance, poise, defence and remedial work - or lack of it - impressed no one. I hate seeing any batsman jumping at the crease and Hughes is the worst,” Jones wrote.

“When he defended the ball it went to the slips cordon and he looked completely out of his depth. I really don’t know who is speaking to him, but he needs to address this and start to work on his forward and back defence,” he added. (ANI)