Phil Hughes will be remembered for his fearless strokeplay and aggressive streak in his batting. At the age of 20, he smashed two tons in a test match to be the youngest man to do so. The journey had its ups and downs, but Hughes did entertain with his hits in the middle. Nishad Pai Vaidya picks Hughes’ five most memorable innings on the day the southpaw passed away.
1. 116 vs Victoria at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney in March 2008
This was Hughes’ first season in Shield cricket. In the final against Victoria at SCG, New South Wales had managed a lead in the first innings and needed to set a huge target. Hughes laid the platform with an innings of 116. This was a major success for Hughes as the 19 year old made a big impact and helped New South Wales win the Sheffield Shield.
2. 115 and 160 vs South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban in March 2009
Hughes had a mixed start to his Test career as he recorded a duck and 75 on debut in Johannesburg. In his second Test, he was ready to make a big impression. In the first innings, he smashed 115, getting his ton with a six over mid-wicket. Then, as Australia intended to put more pressure in the second essay, he hit 160, an innings of patience and temperance. In both the hits, he was tested by the South African pace attack but fearlessly carted the ball through the off-side. At the age of 20, he became the youngest to hit two tons in a Test match.
3. 86 not out vs New Zealand at Basin Reserve, Wellington in March 2010
Hughes has lost his spot as a Test opener to Shane Watson during the Ashes 2009 in England. In 2010, he got an opportunity at home against Pakistan. However, a couple of months later, he was summoned for the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington. Australia needed only 106 to win the game and Hughes smashed an unbeaten 86. That innings showed his aggressive side as he made a mockery of the bowling attack. He took only 75 balls to get those runs and hit 12 fours and a six. Simon Katich, his opening partner, scored only 18 not out. However, that wasn’t enough for Hughes to seal his spot as Watson returned for the next Test.
4. 126 vs Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo in September 2011
Following Simon Katich’s injury during the Ashes 2010-11 and his controversial axing, Hughes was given a more permanent spot in the Australian team. He had a tough time during the tour to Sri Lanka and was then dismissed for a blob in the first innings of the third and final Test. During the second innings, Hughes hit back with 126 in tough conditions to help Australia safeguard their lead in the series and go on to clinch the rubber. He also managed to hold on to his spot ahead of the tour to South Africa.
5. 112 vs Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in January 2013
Ricky Ponting’s retirement had allowed Hughes a return to the Australian Test side at No 3. He had a successful Test series against Sri Lanka in 2012-13, and was then included in the side for the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) that followed. For someone so attacking and positive, it was a mystery as to why he wasn’t picked in the shorter versions until then. Hughes made up for the lost time by hitting 112 while opening the batting to become the first Australian to score a ton on ODI debut.
6. 69 vs India at the PCA Stadium, Mohali in March 2013
The tour to India was a nightmare for the Australians as they struggled to come to terms with the conditions. Hughes had a tough time in the first two Tests but in the third, he was determined to make a mark. With Australia facing a big lead, Hughes walked in at No 3 in the second innings and scored 69 in tricky conditions against Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. While it did not help Australia win or draw the game, it was a much needed confidence booster for the youngster.
7. 81 vs England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham in July 2013
In the first Test of the Ashes 2013, Australia were fighting tooth and nail against England. After bowling the hosts out for 215, Australia were in dire straits at 117 for nine. Hughes then crafted a gritty 81 to help Ashton Agar push towards a hundred at No 11. Hughes’ effort was forgotten in the light of the young Agar’s 98. However, this innings was as crucial as Agar’s effort. It will remain a forgotten one.
8. 202 not out vs South Africa A at Marrara Oval, Darwin in July 2014
Hughes wrote his name in history again as he became the first Australian to score a double century in a List A game. Playing for Australia A against South Africa A in Darwin, Hughes opened the batting and smashed an unbeaten 202. He hit 18 fours and six sixes during his innings. He had played with typical fearlessness, carting the bowlers all around the park. This had sparked hopes of him being given a more permanent spot in the ODI team.
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