NSW opener Dan Hughes admits he’s had trouble shifting gears, as part of the demands of professional cricket.
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The left-hander provided his own highlight reel in the Twenty20 Big Bash, to help lift the Sydney Sixers to the tournament final.
But the switch back to four-day competition has proved more difficult.
Out for six in the innings win over Sheffield Shield leaders Victoria, Hughes followed it up with a first ball duck in the drawn match against Queensland.
Dismissed on the last ball of the first over, Hughes could only watch on as NSW finished 6-603, declaring after 156 overs, or five sessions at the crease.
In contrast, teammates Ed Cowan and captain Moises Henriques have scored double centuries for the Blues in 2017, while opening partner Nick Larkin made back-to-back double centuries in the second-tier Futures League.
With Nic Maddinson expected to return for the clash with Tasmania at North Dalton Park, starting on Saturday, Hughes is under some selection pressure, as NSW try to book a spot in the final.
“I’ve got some work to do,” Hughes told the Mercury.
“The other batters are showing the way and scoring big hundreds.
“So it’s up to me this game, to resurrect that and get myself into some form.”
Maddinson scored 38 from 41 balls in his return in the Futures League match in Perth on Monday, as the Blues were bowled out for 164. He then took two catches, as Western Australia took their lead past 300 runs.
Hughes said the Wollongong spectators can expect to see the Warilla junior back in his “electric” form.
Maddinson is likely to play in the Sheffield Shield match, after taking break and missing the Queensland encounter, in the wake of being dropped from the Australian team and losing the Big Bash final.
“It’s great to have him back around the group,” Hughes said. “He’s a great guy to have around and everyone enjoys his company.
“I’m just glad that he’s happy and he wants to come back to cricket and hopefully he brings that electric form into this game.”
NSW are second on the Shield ladder, while Tasmania are languishing in last with just one win this season.
- SHEFFIELD SHIELD
Saturday-Tuesday (10.30am)
NSW v TASMANIA
North Dalton Park