Hughes prefers Ashes over IPL<br/>

While some of his more illustrious colleagues will be raking in the lolly in the IPL in South Africa, wunderkind Phil Hughes will be honing his batting skills in the English County league in preparation for the Ashes series.

Hughes prefers Ashes over IPL<br/>

Hughes, acclaimed as a future Don Bradman after his epic centuries in both innings in the second Test against South Africa, returned to Sydney while some of his teammates have stayed back for the Twenty20 and one-day series.

"The Ashes is still around three months away. I'm going to England to play for Middlesex," he said after arrival.
"I'm going over there to enjoy my cricket at Middlesex, especially getting to play at Lord's."

hughes effort! Opening batsman Phil Hughes has been the find of the season for Australia. pic/afp

Asked about his back-to-back centuries against the Proteas, Hughes said: "It's a game I'll never forget. I was coming off a duck in the first innings of the previous Test, then making 75 batting with Ricky (Ponting) in the middle was a real confidence booster."

Hughes, who attributes his unorthodox batting style for which he came in for considerable criticism, especially from his opponents, to playing backyard cricket with his brother.

He responded to newsmen's queries about the sledging from the South African bowlers diplomatically.

"It was a great contest, as for the words I won't say them. I'm a firm believer of what is said on the field remains on the field," Hughes said.

"We played it hard and fair and that's how I like it.

"There was a lot said about my technique after that first game. But there's no doubt it got me up. I let my bat do the talking."

Australia's one-day series in South Africa finishes on April 17 and the IPL is due to start the next day.

The world champions also have a one-day series against Pakistan in Dubai that finishes on May 7, which will enable their top players to play for about two weeks in the closing stages of the IPL Twenty20 tournament in South Africa.

Hughes' spin bowler teammate Bryce McGain, who gained notoriety for being slaughtered for 149 runs off only 18 overs without conceding a wicket, was, nevertheless, confident abut his bowling and chances of being selected for the Ashes tour.

"It certainly doesn't knock around my confidence too much in that sometimes this happens in cricket," he replied sunnily when facing the media at Melbourne airport.

"Maybe not quite as expensive as that, but there are times you are bowling and it doesn't matter what you try, it seems the batsmen are a page ahead."

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