New South Wales opener Daniel Hughes shares his perspective on a surprising turn of events following his unexpected exclusion from the Sheffield Shield. Despite a promising beginning, the 34-year-old, who emerged as the Blues’ top run-scorer last season, confessed that this season “hasn’t unfolded as planned.”
With a robust start to the 2023/24 campaign, Hughes showcased his batting prowess with impressive fifties against Queensland and South Australia. However, his form in red-ball cricket waned in subsequent rounds, resulting in scores of 0, 6, 20, 0*, 3, and 21 since October. His omission from the recent match against Tasmania at the SCG surprised many teammates.
Reflecting on his performance, Hughes expressed, “I needed to convert those starts into big scores. As a senior player, expectations are understandably higher, and I fell short on that front. Each opportunity to bat is a chance to accumulate runs, which has been the ethos of my entire career. Unfortunately, the Shield season hasn’t aligned with my plans.”
Currently positioned fourth in the Sheffield Shield standings with two victories in six matches, the Blues have shown improvement compared to last season’s winless streak. Hughes acknowledged the challenging batting conditions across venues, influencing their results. Despite this, he believes in the team’s ability to find ways to win games, though they are yet to achieve a complete performance in both batting and bowling.
For Hughes, the timing of the Big Bash League couldn’t be better. The T20 format allows him to play with freedom, offering a much-needed reprieve from the demands of red-ball cricket. Teammate Jackson Bird commented, “Hughesy is a phenomenal player, and the break during the Big Bash might rejuvenate his game. He’s likely to benefit from the freedom and could stage a strong return post the break.”
Having played only four games for the Sydney Sixers last season, Hughes aims to make an impact in the upcoming BBL campaign. His recent displays in warm-up matches against the Sydney Thunder showcased promise, setting an optimistic tone for the matches ahead.
As the Sixers prepare for their season opener against the Melbourne Renegades at the SCG, Hughes eagerly awaits a chance to play freely, unshackled from recent pressures. With Australian cricket star Steve Smith joining the Test squad, an opportunity beckons for Hughes to make his mark in the T20 arena.
“I’m excited to step on the field and play freely, focusing on the present moment,” Hughes expressed. “I anticipate pitches conducive to batting, and I’m looking forward to making the most of it.”
The Sydney Sixers commence their BBL campaign on Friday evening, with the stage set for an electrifying encounter against the Melbourne Renegades, kickstarting at 7.15pm AEDT.
