Phil Hughes Signs For Worcestershire

Phil Hughes Signs For Worcestershire

Phil Hughes sways out of the way of a delivery during the recently concluded Test match against New Zealand.

©REUTERS/Daniel Munoz. Picture Supplied by Action Images

Worcestershire have signed struggling Australian Test opener Phil Hughes as their overseas player for the second half of the 2012 season. The deal is expected to begin at the start of the group stage of the Friends Life t20.

The 23 year-old was recently recalled to Australia’s Test side as part of a new-look opening partnership but has since struggled against South Africa and New Zealand as his fondness for the cut shot has led him into trouble on numerous occasions.

His spell at New Road will be his third one in county cricket, following short term deals with Middlesex and Hampshire in 2009 and 2010. His spell at Middlesex was criticised heavily by the English media at the time, as it preceded a home Ashes series, and was a very successful one for Hughes personally – he scored 574 first-class runs at an average of 143.50.

The left-hander said of his new deal, “I'm absolutely thrilled to be heading back to England in 2012. Worcestershire is a quality organisation and I can't wait to meet my new team-mates and re-acquaint myself with English conditions."

Worcestershire’s director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, added, “To gain the signature of the current Australian Test match opener is a tremendous boost for the club and the players for the 2012 season. Phil is a heavy run scorer with a career ratio of a century every four games in first-class cricket.”

Other County News In Brief:

Derbyshire coach Karl Krikken has ended speculation about the identity of Derbyshire’s wicket-keeper for next season by saying that Tom Poynton, “has been earmarked as a Derbyshire ‘keeper for several years and is now ready to become our number one for the position.” He also pointed out that back-up glovemen such as Chris Durham and Academy man Harvey Hosein were more than capable deputies.

Middlesex have announced their Academy intake for the 2011-12 period. There are six new members on the scheme, which saw wicket-keeper Adam Rossington graduate to a full professional contract last season.

Glamorgan CCC have opposed a petition submitted to Wales’ National Assembly’s petitions committee which calls for a Wales team to participate separately from England in all ICC events. The club are concerned about the loss of international cricket at their Cardiff ground should the move go ahead and have also pointed out that Glamorgan is essentially a Welsh national side anyway.

© Cricket World 2011