Dumped Australia opener Phillip Hughes says he is hopeful his stint in English County cricket will pave the way for his return to the Test XI.
Hughes has not played in the five-day arena since Australia's seven-run run loss to New Zealand in the second and final Test of their series in Hobart last December.
He and Usman Khawaja were notable omissions when Cricket Australia (CA) announced the Australia A squad to tour England in July and August.
The tour is designed to give Australia's up-and-coming players more exposure to first-class cricket ahead of the 2013 Ashes series in England.
Hughes instead will play for Worcestershire and Khawaja will ply his trade with Derbyshire.
The 23-year-old Hughes is keen to use his time in the various formats of County cricket to play himself into the type of form that will catch the eye of the Australian selection panel.
"I'm looking forward to getting to England and to play for Worcester and to play three forms of the game," he said.
"I think I can go out there and just enjoy myself and hopefully get as many runs as possible for Worcester."
Hughes, who averages 34.58 from his 17 Tests, has been training at CA's Centre of Excellence in Brisbane and has appreciated the opportunity to face some of Australia's battery of fast bowlers.
"To face the likes of Mitch Johnson and Patty Cummins out in the middle bowling full tilt at you, it's been a big challenge and it's been great training with those guys for a few days out here," he said.
Hughes leaves for England next Wednesday.
Tags: cricket, sport, england, united-kingdom, australia First posted May 16, 2012 17:02:49
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