Shifting Phil Hughes to the middle order for the Ashes solves one headache but causes another for Australia, with the left-hander sure to become a prime target for England spinner Graeme Swann.
Hughes still remains in contention to stay at No.3 for the first Test at Trent Bridge, but has been a bunny for England’s quicks in the past and averages just 17 from five Tests against the old enemy as an opener.
Australia may have disclosed their Ashes plan for Hughes by sending him in at No.5 in the first innings of their comprehensive six-wicket tour match victory over Somerset in Taunton.
The 24-year-old made impressive back-to-back half centuries with his vulnerabilities against spin tested.
After enduring a nightmare tour of India earlier this year, Hughes says he’ll turn to one of Australia’s most accomplished players of spin, new coach Darren Lehmann, for advice on how to handle Swann in what is shaping up as a dry English summer.
“I’ll be talking to him day in and day out especially about spin because he really dominated spin bowling through his whole career,” Hughes said.
“It’s something we can all keep working on and he’ll be fantastic for that.
“The one-day (Champions Trophy) wickets were quite dry and reversed and turned a little bit too. It showed out here (in Taunton) that it turned so it’s about working behind the scenes in the nets and facing the spinning ball.”
Hughes made 76no and 50 for the match, and even though he came out at No.3 in the second dig, that wasn’t until the 23rd over, where Somerset spinner George Dockrell was immediately brought into the attack.
It was a preview of the unforgiving tactics England and Swann will use if Hughes is reinvented as a middle-order man.
Dockrell eventually got Hughes’ wicket, but not before the Australian displayed a skillful ability to keep the scoreboard ticking and get off strike.
“I have batted a couple of times in the past at 5, and at 4 as well,” said Hughes.
“I’ve always said I don’t really mind where I bat.
“It’s just about opportunity and performing.”
In addition to Lehmann’s appointment as Australian coach, Hughes will receive a timely pre-Ashes confidence booster this week when he returns to his “second home” in Worcester for the second tour match.
Hughes turned his career around last season when he played under mentor Steve Rhodes at Worcestershire.
“I speak to Rhodesy the coach a fair bit and I can’t wait to catch up with him again and have a few chats along the way,” Hughes said.
“He really gave me that freedom to go out there and express myself and it was a good thing for the confidence back then. They’re times I won’t forget.”
For the Worcestershire match starting on Tuesday, skipper Michael Clarke and opener Shane Watson are set for another run – with Watson to bowl as well.
Opener Chris Rogers, middle order batsman Steve Smith and fast bowlers Ryan Harris and Jackson Bird will also come into the side.
Usman Khawaja (73) and Ed Cowan (46) will be hoping they get another hit in Worcester, as they compete with Rogers for potentially two available spots at the top of the order.
