Hilditch supports out-of-form Hughes to be long-term Oz Test opener
By ANIMonday, January 3, 2011
SYDNEY - Cricket Australia’s chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has backed Phillip Hughes of being a long-term Test opener for the national team despite his unsuccessful run in the ongoing Ashes series.
The 22-year-old has made just 83 runs at an average of 16.80 in five Test innings since being recalled to replace injured Simon Katich in Perth.
“Phillip Hughes has already proven he has the ability to score hundreds at the international level,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hilditch, as saying.
“He has great potential, and the [selection panel] is very interested in him being a member of our team.”
“While we are yet to see that big score this series, we have seen some good signs during the last two Test matches, and we are really confident he will be able to cement his position through a weight of runs going forward,” he added.
The selectors’ willingness to persevere with Hughes stems from his meteoric rise to the Test scene nearly two years ago when he became the youngest Test player to score two centuries in a game in South Africa.(ANI)
