Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer have decided to guide struggling youngster Phil Hughes and help him return back to a good form, as the selectors’ decision to sack the struggling Hughes ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston in the ongoing Ashes series drew flak.
Hughes scored just 57 runs at an average of 19 in the first two Ashes Tests. He was then replaced by Shane Watson, who is also making a comeback from injury.
Hayden and Langer were the second most successful opening combination in Test cricket, behind West Indian greats Desmond Haynes and Gordon Greenidge.
"Phil Hughes will be embraced by a strong opening partnership, Justin Langer and myself, who believe very strongly in providing support to opening partners," Hayden said.
"I am looking forward to sitting down with Phil and trying to pass on as much experience as I possibly can."
Mathew Hayden has already started counselling Hughes.
Hayden, and current opener Simon Katich, spoke at length to Hughes on the field at Edgbaston before play was scheduled to start in the third Test last night.
Hughes was speculated to be Australia’s new batting wonderchild after his two centuries on the tour of South Africa but technical deficiencies against the short ball aimed at his body proved his undoing.
