Hayden, Langer to help a struggling Hughes
July 31st, 2009 - 4:30 pm ICT by IANSMelbourne, July 31 (IANS) Former Australian openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer have decided to take struggling youngster Phil Hughes under their wings.
Hayden promised that he and Langer would counsel Hughes and help him return stronger as the selectors’ decision to sack the 20-year-old ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston in the ongoing Ashes series drew flak from the country’s former cricketers.
After scoring just 57 runs at an average of 19 in the first two Ashes Tests, Hughes was replaced by Shane Watson, who is also making a comeback from injury.
Hayden and Langer were Test cricket’s second most successful opening combination, behind West Indian greats Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge.
“Phil Hughes will be embraced by a strong opening partnership, Justin Langer and myself, who believe very strongly in providing support to opening partners,” Hayden was quoted as saying in The Australian.
“I am looking forward to sitting down with Phil and trying to pass on as much experience as I possibly can.”
A dejected Hughes has already started being counselled by Hayden.
Hayden, and current opener Simon Katich, spoke at length to Hughes on the field at Edgbaston before play was scheduled to start in the third Test last night.
Hughes had been hailed as Australia’s new batting wonderchild after two centuries on the tour of South Africa but technical deficiencies against the short ball aimed at his body proved his undoing.
- Hayden and Langer to counsel struggling Hughes - Jul 31, 2009
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- Watson snubs possibilities of his 'Hayden-Langer man love' with Katich - Aug 28, 2010
- Hayden, Langer back Hughes to return to Oz squad - Dec 11, 2009
- England on top in rain-hit Sydney Test - Jan 03, 2011
- Watson keen to become a regular opener - Jan 01, 2010
- Not interested in being used for fixing Oz middle order malaise: Watson - Nov 02, 2010
- Hilditch gives Hughes hope he'll be back opening against the Windies - Oct 27, 2009
- Clarke backs Hughes as 'next batsman in line' for Oz team - Oct 25, 2010
- Clarke not averse to recalling Katich in Australian team - Dec 16, 2011
- Oz's opening "Odd Couple" developing on formidable lines - Jan 02, 2010
- Oz selectors will need to decide on Katich, Hussey's future in national squad - Mar 30, 2011
- Oz opener Hughes must bat with 'positive intent' to retain Ashes spot: Langer - Dec 24, 2010
- Tendulkar-Dravid centuries put India in command (Lead) - Jan 25, 2010
- 'Lemming' Watson now enjoying, thriving in his role as Oz opener - Sep 12, 2010
Tags: centuries, counselled, cricketers, dejected, desmond haynes, edgbaston, gordon greenidge, justin langer, matthew hayden, phil hughes, selectors, shane watson, simon katich, technical deficiencies, test cricket, third test, undoing, wings, wonderchild, youngster