Radford issues Hughes warning

Australian Phillip Hughes made a prolific start to his summer in England as he steps up his Ashes preparations

Middlesex coach Toby Radford has warned England there are few weakness in Phillip Hughes’ game ahead of the Ashes.

The opening batsman, who is part of Australia's touring party, was Middlesex's overseas player for the opening part of the county season, providing him with the chance to acclimatise to English conditions ahead of the main showpiece of the summer, which gets under way on July 8.

Middlesex attracted criticism for signing Hughes and giving Australia a potential advantage this summer, while the 20-year-old left-hander made the most of his opportunity by plundering impressive 882 runs in 13 innings at an average of 73.50 in all cricket.

The optimists claimed an early sight of Hughes would allow England to work out ways of dismissing him, but Radford insists it will not be easy removing him from the crease.

“Technically, he has his own method of playing,” he told the TwelfthMan Podcast. "He virtually shows you middle and off stump so bowlers are finding that if they are bowling in their normal corridor they are actually getting cut to balls that should be going to mid-off.

“The tactic then has been to go around the wicket and try bowling at leg stump and cramping him for room, but he manages to get the ball down to fine-leg or move the front leg out and hit over deep midwicket.

“(England captain Andrew) Strauss has seen him at close quarters when batting at the other end and he is probably thinking to go around the wicket too, but it’s not as simple as that.”

Hughes forged a name for himself in the Australia Test side following an impressive debut series in South Africa, where he scored two centuries in his second match, and his aggressive strokeplay took the Proteas bowling attack apart.

The New South Wales batsman has brought that style of play to England, and Radford is full of admiration for his approach to the game.

“He's a very talented player and picks length very quickly. Even in four-day cricket he is so aggressive. He is always looking to score; he goes in with a very positive mind-set,” he added.

“He’ll have the odd nick that goes down to third man or fine-leg, he'll play and miss a couple of times and then suddenly he'll have three shots that bullet over the boundary.

"He’s frustrating for bowlers to bowl at, and he’s strong mentally. He's been really impressive.

“You wouldn't coach the method he has got, but he has got great hand-eye co-ordination and rarely misses the ball.

“He’s been terrific in the dressing room as well. He loves to do well and he's come and done that.”