Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes has said that he is optimistic about his chances of withstanding an expected spin attack in India in the upcoming four-Test series. He was speaking ahead of his departure to India after winning the ODI series against West Indies.
The young top-order batsman has said that he has high hopes about the upcoming India Tests because of their recent 5-0 win against the Caribbeans, and also due to India’s recent home Test series loss against England and its poor form in Australia last summer, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Hughes said that observing India’s recent home series against England had made him prepare to face a lot of spin, even against the new ball, and added that he was comfortable with the prospects of facing Indian spin bowlers Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha and Ravindra Jadeja, which he said would be challenging.
Looking forward to playing in India, Hughes said that although he had been to India many times, he had never played Test cricket on the subcontinent before, and added that he needed more practice at the nets to prepare for the challenges there.
Hughes said he had also taken advice from captain Michael Clarke, who is renowned for his skill against spin, and expressed confidence at being able to overpower spin with sweep shots if needed, depending on the conditions at the subcontinent.
Hughes also said that he was eager for the opportunity to bat for long periods in India in conditions that often offered little for bowlers.
Hughes, Shane Watson, Mitch Johnson and Xavier Doherty flew out of Melbourne on Monday morning after finishing their home summer.
