Hughes back as opener to push Test claims

Phil Hughes will return to his favoured opening batting slot as pressure mounts on Chris Rogers to retain his Australian Test position.

The 37-year-old Rogers is under scrutiny following a lean Test series against Pakistan which returned only 88 runs at an average of 22.

Hughes returns for South Australia in a Sheffield Shield match starting Saturday.

The 25-year-old made his Test debut as an opener but as since plugged gaps in the order – batting at numbers three, four and six in Tests.

SA have seemingly followed national orders to use Hughes at first drop in the past but Redbacks coach Darren Berry says the left-hander is a natural opener.

“That is his preferred position,” Berry told AAP.

“I’m really disappointed that Phil Hughes didn’t get an opportunity this series (against Pakistan).

“He went over early to prepare, he’s done the hard yards, he deserved a chance but he didn’t get it.

“But he will come back again … he has got to put some runs on the board to knock on the door for that first Test now.

“Hughes should be in that team, I don’t mind saying that.”

Australia’s four-Test series against India starts on December 4.

Hughes’ return gives Berry a selection headache – who to drop from his SA team which downed Queensland by eight wickets in their Sheffield Shield opener.

Callum Ferguson has told Berry he wants to bat at three to push his Test claims – and made 100 not out and 65 not out against the Bulls.

Openers Andrew McDonald (86) and Mark Cosgrove (46, 78), Tom Cooper (75, 68 not out) and Travis Head (52) were also among the runs.

“It’s a great problem for us to have,” Berry said.

“We will have to reassess. There is going to be a bloody hard decision to be made. Someone who has done really good in this game is likely to miss.”

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