It’s a forgettable chapter in his Test career but Phil Hughes believes his painful 2009 Ashes experience has laid the platform for 2013 redemption.
Hughes is licking his lips at the prospect of returning to England as Australia’s first-drop after lasting just two Tests as opener last time around.
The left-hander went to England as the hottest young batsman in world cricket after a break-out debut series in South Africa, but his home-baked technique was quickly undone by the English pace attack.
Steve Harmison firstly exposed chinks in his armour, squaring him up with a short-pitched and swing assault in a tour match, before Andrew Flintoff finished him off in the second Test at Lord’s.
Hughes said the extra swing and slower pitches in England were the biggest factor in his failure, but he’s learned his harsh lessons.
“I remember that series and I remember how sad it was at the end of that series to lose (2-1),” the 24-year-old said on Wednesday.
“The wickets are definitely slower than Australian conditions but I feel confident in that I’ve been there before and I’ll be better for the run.
“Because I’ve been there before, and played at that level, I know what to expect.
“You have to play the ball late and let the ball come to you instead of playing outside your line because the ball does swing more.”
Hughes has begun his preparations this week, batting against England’s Duke balls in a month-long stay at Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.
He’ll also get extra time in England before the first Test after being included in Australia’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy, labelling the timing of the one-day tournament “a great thing” for his Ashes campaign.
There will be pressure on the under-performing Test top order of Hughes, David Warner and Ed Cowan to all show batting form before the first Test, starting July 10 at Trent Bridge, after the inclusion of veteran opener Chris Rogers.
Hughes, coming off a poor tour of India where he averaged 18.37 and made just 25 runs in his first four innings, was fortunate to retain his No.3 position during the 4-0 series loss but dug in with late knocks of 69 and 45 in the last two Tests.
As expected, Warner will also join Hughes in chasing Australia’s third straight Champions Trophy title, starting with their opening pool game on June 8 against England at Edgbaston.
There were no major surprises in the Champions Trophy squad named on Wednesday, with West Australian paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile the only uncapped player included after injury ruled out Ben Cutting.
Warriors teammate Mitch Marsh will return to international duty for the first time in 12 months on the back of a red-hot domestic season that featured 278 runs at 69.50 from his five one-day games.
Adam Voges and Ashes bowling allrounder James Faulkner also won their spurs while Steve Smith, Aaron Finch and Moises Henriques were squeezed out.
Australian squad: Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey (vc), David Warner, Shane Watson, Phil Hughes, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Clint McKay, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty.
