Phil Hughes: The downfall of a supremely talented batsman!

After the retirement of the Australian greats, Phil Hughes was amongst the first few names who was being considered as a permanent replacement. But, despite being hugely talented, he has failed to prove himself.

The 25-year-old has been an failure the last two times he has been given a crack at Test cricket. Between December 2010 and December 2011 he played 10 Tests on the trot for a batting average of just 24.He was then dropped after a poor home series against New Zealand. Further, Hughes returned to the side in December 2012 and over a run of nine consecutive Tests averaged 29. During the tours to India and England, he averaged 21 over six Tests. From the 259 balls of spin he faced in India, he scored just 74 runs, while being dismissed seven times.

During the India tour, Hughes simply began throwing his bat,which was clearly his desperation due to the lack of a more constructive plan. He rode his luck to scores of 69 in the third Test and 45 in the final match. Against England, In 76 balls he faced from Graeme Swann he scored just nine runs, while twice losing his wicket.

I am not saying Hughes should never again wear the baggy green cap.
He has another decade of cricket left in him and may well become a far more versatile batsman. But why would Australia recall him to the side after performing so badly when given many chances?

Although, Hughes has always been a class above the majority of his opponents at State level. Each time, he has been selected in the team it has been on the back of brilliant efforts in the Shield.

History says stories of many athletes who dominated lower leagues but could never reproduce similar success when offered opportunities at the highest level of their sport. Others, like Ryan Harris and Mike Hussey, have done the reverse.

Both were merely good Shield cricketers before exceeding all expectations by becoming phenomenal international players. Hughes has averaged 27 in his past 23 Tests.

He has been tried and failed repeatedly. It is time to move on and offer a chance to someone new. Who knows, in doing so Australia might find the next Hussey or Harris?