I’m backing Hughes to Phil his boots with us (From Worcester News)

I’m backing Hughes to Phil his boots with us

1:00pm Thursday 15th December 2011 in WCCC By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport

STEVE Rhodes has backed under-fire Australian Test opener Phil Hughes to prove his quality when he arrives as Worcestershire’s overseas player next season.

The 23-year-old has scored more than 1,000 runs in 16 Tests for his country, though captain Michael Clarke hinted the left-hander could be dropped after a poor run of scores against New Zealand and South Africa.

Hughes this week opted to withdraw from his contract with Sydney Thunder ahead of the imminent start of the Big Bash League, Australia’s new Twenty20 competition, in order to focus on his form in the longer format.

However, New Road director of cricket Rhodes is adamant Hughes, who enjoyed a prolific spell with Middlesex before the 2009 Ashes, is a top-class performer.

The county boss said: “I’d like to put my hat in the ring to support Phil and say what a tremendous batsman he is.

“He is going through a tough time, which has taken some of the polish off the signing.

“I really believe in him and his record proves he is a terrific run-scorer. I wouldn’t have signed him if I didn’t think he’d do well for Worcester-shire. Phil scores his runs at a good rate and he can take a session away from teams quickly. With Daryl Mitchell, he will give us a good left- hand/right-hand opening partnership.

“The chances of him replicating the astonishing form he produced during his time with Middlesex a few seasons ago is minimal but, if he could achieve anything like that, it would be a huge bonus for us.” Rhodes also revealed he is planning to have another overseas player on board to cover the early part of the season before Hughes arrives in June.

On assistant coach Ben Smith’s departure to rejoin the staff at Leicestershire, Rhodes said: “Ultimately, Ben is going to a county where there will be three coaches rather than four as there was when he was here.

“He probably felt that was a step in the right direction in terms of climbing the ladder.

“I think, at this stage, we can cope without replacing Ben, but it will mean more work for Damian D’Oliveira, Matt Mason and I.

“Not a lot of people are taking on new employees in this climate, so we will have to ride it out too.”

Meanwhile, county captain Mitchell has revealed he will be off to Zimbabwe in the new year for a stint playing first-class cricket with the Mutare-based Mountaineers franchise.