Axed Oz opener Hughes takes off from cricket, heads for farm

SYDNEY - Ex-Australia opener Phil Hughes has decided to go off cricket for a couple of months and has headed to his family farm in northern New South Wales after being axed by New South Wales Blues for the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash final.

Hughes who managed just 97 runs in six innings as England retained the Ashes in Australia for the first time since Mike Gatting’s side in 1986-1987, has copped criticism from Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland for speaking at a function before the first morning of the Boxing Day Test.

He was also photographed drinking at a city bar with Michael Clarke during the same Test in Melbourne, while ex-England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham labelled Hughes a cheat after claiming a close-in catch during the SCG Test.

He has managed just 41 runs in four KFC Twenty20 Big Bash innings before being dumped in favour of 31-year-old Phil Jaques.

When asked if his dad had offered some sage advice about his poor batting form, Hughes said he was more interested in what was happening in his own paddock.

“All he (dad) was talking about was the Angus bulls and the cattle that we’ve got on the farm and how good they are.” (ANI)