Thorpe hails Hughes talent

Left-handed opener Phillip Hughes had a prolific time for Middlesex earlier this season, hitting 574 runs in three championship games

Former England batsman Graham Thorpe believes Australia opener Phillip Hughes is a “special talent” - but warned him that the Ashes will test him like nothing before.

Hughes' rise to prominence has been meteoric since making his Australia debut on the tour of South Africa in February.

He scored back-to-back centuries in his second Test in Durban, before smashing 574 runs at an average of 143.50 in three LV= County Championship games for Middlesex earlier this summer.

Thorpe oversaw the New South Welshman's progression into first-class cricket; the former England batsman was coach of NSW's second XI three years ago when a young Hughes, now 20, was taking his first furtive steps towards the player he is now.

Thorpe said it was obvious early on the left-hander was a rare talent and admitted it was him who recommended the then teenager be elevated to the NSW senior team.

“I was asked if I thought he was good enough to play for New South Wales' first team. The answer had to be yes,” Thorpe admitted.

“I saw him bat a lot and it was apparent pretty soon he had what it took to be a very good player, although I didn't think he would progress quite as quickly as he has.

“It was obvious he was tough enough to handle higher honours. He had a great hand-eye co-ordination and was what I call a big hitter of the ball.

“I had no hesitation in saying I think the lad should be playing in the state side.”

Hughes' progression to the Test ranks has since been swift; his elevation for the South Africa tour marked him as the youngest Australian debutant in 25 years as he averaged 69.16 in that three-Test series to immediately draw the plaudits.

The praise continued during his free-scoring Middlesex stint where his unorthodox style impressed almost as much as the number of runs he scored.

And while Thorpe believes that style will likely draw comparisons with some of the game's greats, he warned Hughes that his heady rise will be fully tested this summer.

“I wouldn't say he is the next Brian Lara, but he hits the balls in similar areas,” Thorpe said.

Graham Thorpe also believes England's new number three, Ravi Bopara, is an exciting prospect who will shine this summer

“In terms of that he's a special talent, but I think this will be a big series for Phil Hughes as well. One way or another people will find out if he's got it or if he has chinks in the armour.”

He added: “England will have to bowl smart against him but any player who is able to score runs quickly if you can keep him quiet you'll get him to play a rash shot.

“That's the sort of thing that the England bowlers need to do. They need to keep it really simple: bowl as straight as you can.”

While speaking glowingly of Hughes, Thorpe also believes England have a similar talent of their own in Ravi Bopara.

Like Hughes, Bopara's rise to prominence has been swift, with three consecutive centuries against West Indies establishing his place as England's number three for the Ashes.

It is a far cry from the three consecutive ducks the Essex right-hander made on his first Test to in Sri Lanka two years ago and, like Hughes, Thorpe is looking forward to seeing how he performs in the heat of an Ashes battle.

“Hughes and Bopara are for me are starting on a level playing field and we will find out a lot about them both during this series,” he said.

“I like Bopara's temperament, but, as opposed to the West Indies, technically he'll be challenged a lot more against Australia.

"He's had a fantastic start. Not many players have had three Test noughts and then three Test centuries in a row to start their career.

“He's a character who has gone through an awful lot and he has learned a lot quite quickly about the highs and lows of Test cricket, but against Australia it will be another game completely.”