Phil Hughes is looking forward to opening the batting with David Warner for Australia against New Zealand.
Hughes eyes successful partnership with great mate Warner
Phil Hughes is looking forward to opening the batting with David Warner for Australia against New Zealand.
South African Mickey Arthur, in his first match as Australia's first foreign coach, has chosen the dashing pair to open the innings in the first Test at the Gabba after Shane Watson was ruled out.
Hughes believes he and his aggressive New South Wales team-mate can make a thrilling partnership.
Having opened with distinguished international players in Simon Katich and Watson, Hughes says Warner has what it takes to succeed at Test level.
"I've spent a fair bit of time with him in New South Wales and we're great mates. We seem to have had a decent partnership for New South Wales, so hopefully we can take that into the first Test this week," said Hughes.
"I think he's in the form of his life. He'll play his natural game and go out there and enjoy it. I just can't wait to be there. Hopefully we can spend some good quality time together.
"It's the first time (being the senior opener) has happened. I've played a few Tests, but it's quite bizarre. I remember opening with Simon Katich and then Watto and now Davo. It's exciting."
Youth
Australia's youthful side also sees Peter Siddle as the senior bowler in a seam attack expected to include James Pattinson and either Mitchell Starc or local boy Ben Cutting.
Black Caps danger man Brendon McCullum is another with the potential to cause havoc at the head of the innings, but Hughes places Warner in the same mould and said he would have no problem feeding him the strike if he started to work his way into a destructive mood.
"(I wouldn't) slow down, but I'd try to give him as much strike as possible," he said.
"If he's taking the game away from the opposition, and that's what he does great, I'm happy sitting up there and watching the game. I'd have the best seat in the house if that happens."
While Hughes' unorthodox style has so far yielded mixed results, leading some to question his long-term suitability at the top of the order, the left-hander is feeling comfortable with his game.
Confidence
"Personally, I feel good about my game," he said. "I've played New Zealand before (scoring 86) and that was a one-off Test match, but I think the big thing was getting 88 in the first innings of the second Test match against South Africa in Johannesburg," said Hughes.
"I think the huge confidence thing, if you look at their attack, they've got one of the best attacks in world cricket, so to score those runs, especially under pressure, was a good feeling."
There is a feeling among some neutrals that New Zealand have their best chance in a long time to upset an Australia team in flux and coach John Wright is content with his team's build-up. "We're just building quietly," he said.
"I feel we've gathered a little bit of confidence from the trip to Zimbabwe where we were together for nearly a month, then coming here with good performances in the first-class game at home.
"We're pleased with our preparation, it's like anything, we're going to have to concentrate very hard on the first two hours or the first day, and then take it from there. Certainly from experience any cricket team, if you can get them under pressure, is vulnerable."
