After Hayden there came…Hughes?

Phil Hughes acknowledges the crowd after his 160

After Matthew Hayden’s recent retirement from international cricket, i felt that Australia would never find anyone who could have replaced the belligerent Queenslander, certainly not for a few years at least. Hayden, dominant at the crease, annihilated bowling attacks from around the world, year upon year. 30 test hundreds and 8625 test runs certainly is a feat that not every test player can put on their CV. Many questions were asked about the impact that Haydens departure would have upon Australian cricket. A disappointing series defeat to South Africa on home territory certainly did them no favours with regard to media attention.

20 year old Phillip Hughes of New South Wales was drafted into the return series squad to face South Africa. Maybe seen as a gamble with players such as Phil Jacques, who in the past scored runs succesfully at the top of the order, available for selection. Or, a statement of intent by Cricket Australia to try a groom their youngsters into the same mould as some of the cricketing legends that precede them. Hughes’  impressive first class debut season, I’m sure influenced many selectors to give him a chance at the highest level. Averaging 62.11 in his first season for New South Wales and becoming the youngest centurion in a Pura Cup final, presented undoubted talent in such a massively gifted youngster. He received the Don Bradman young cricketer of the year earlier this year to add to his ever growing list of accolades.

A somewhat jekyll and hyde style debut followed for Hughes against South Africa in Jo’burg. Overshadowed by fellow debutant Marcus North in the first innings who smashed 117. Hughes out nicking behind to Dale Steyn in only the fourth ball of the match. To be fair, he hasn’t been the only one to be beaten by a Dale Steyn delivery over the past couple of seasons and he wont be the last. That’s part of cricket I’m afraid, the harsh reality, but its that old saying; you win some, you lose some. The second innings did however prove more enjoyable for Phil, he scored a smooth flowing 75 before Paul Harris claimed his wicket. I suppose there has to be a sense of satisfaction on his part, claiming some retribution for his first innings torment. Significant signs of determination and immaculate temperament highlight how apt he is to fill the void left by Matty Hayden.

Hughes’ highest achievement to date surely came in the second test against South Africa in Durban. Scoring 115 and 160 in each innings against the next best cricketing nation on debut isn’t that shabby in all fairness. Hughes looked reassuringly comfortable at the crease, sustaining an early barrage of short balls from Dale Steyn, before executing an array of strokes to all parts of Kingsmead. His technique, wristy and animated, reminds me of Shiv Chanderpaul in a way, contrary to his predecessor Matty Hayden who much preferred to dominate attacks with his physical presence and expansive driving ability. Certainly promising times for Hughes and Australian cricket as they look to recover from losing the several legends who ruled the cricket world throughout the nineties and noughties. If Cricket Australia continue to assemble such promising young cricketers such as Phillip Hughes, then i am in no doubt that they will be able to continue to assert themselves at the top of the cricketing hierarchy.