Young gun makes Blues debut
November 15, 2007
TEENAGE opening batsman Phillip Hughes has been selected to make his first-class debut for NSW in their Pura Cup clash with Tasmania at the SCG on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old has been picked on the back of strong performances for the NSW second XI in the Cricket Australia Cup match against Victoria at Hurstville Oval.
Hughes made 51 and 137 in the match against an attack featuring former Australian one-day player Mick Lewis.
In the past 30 years, only current Test batsman Michael Clarke has made his first-class debut for the Blues at a younger age than Hughes.
"I'm delighted to be selected for the first time," Hughes said.
"I've been working extremely hard on my batting and this is a tremendous opportunity for me.
"I'm looking forward to training with my teammates and preparing for this match."
Hughes was a standout for the Australian under-19 side in Brisbane earlier this year, making 387 runs at 96.75 from five matches.
He will be 18 years and 355 days old next Tuesday, 111 days older than Clarke when he made his debut back in1999.
The two are teammates at Sydney Grade Club Western Suburbs.
Hughes hails from Macksville on the North Coast of NSW and comes into the squad for off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.
NSW Pura Cup squad: Simon Katich (capt), Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Mark Cameron, Beau Casson, Ed Cowan, Peter Forrest, Brad Haddin, Phillip Hughes, Grant Lambert, Matthew Nicholson, Dominic Thornely (12th man to be named on the morning of the match).
