Usman Khawaja has led a chorus of calls questioning Phillip Hughes’ multiple dismissals as Australian Test opener, with some even arguing that the late cricketer was better than Steve Smith.
Released on Friday night, Cricket Australia’s moving hour-long documentary ‘The Boy from Macksville’ explores Hughes’ life and upward trajectory until his shocking death in 2014.
Hughes’ family spoke publicly for the first time in years, with his sister Megan detailing how her brother’s legacy lives on on their Four 0 Eight cattle farm on the New South Wales north coast.
The batsman’s father, Greg, also suggests that he may have retired at 28 to return to the property, such was the cricketer’s passion for the farm that is still run today.
But the overall theme remains Hughes’ potential and the path he was on before being hit in the neck while batting in November 2014.
“At the time he was the same age as Steve Smith and a couple of years younger than Dave Warner,” former teammate Ed Cowan said in the documentary.
Questions have been raised over the treatment of fallen cricket star Phillip Hughes (pictured) by the Australian selectors.
Hughes was hit on the head by a short ball bowled by fast bowler Abbott on November 25, 2014. He died two days later in hospital.
‘Who is the best cricketer among those three? Phil Hughes, by far.’
In an intermittent trial career before his death, Hughes was eliminated four times in a five-and-a-half-year period.
His first dismissal came just three Tests after becoming the youngest player in history to score two tons against South Africa.
“The selectors at that time were horrible,” Khawaja said in the documentary.
‘Let’s be clear on that. He just couldn’t believe they abandoned him at that moment. The most myopic thought.
‘(They would say) ‘His technique is not up to par.’
‘What do you mean his technique is not?’ “He has scored the most runs in the world in this last year.”
So they screwed him there and it definitely damaged his psyche.
Usman Khawaja has led a chorus of calls questioning Hughes’ multiple dismissals as Australian Test opener.
Justin Langer also claims he was “incredibly disappointed” at the time, while Simon Katich called it “brutal.”
Hughes regained his place twice in 2010 and 2011, scoring a century in Sri Lanka, but dropped again four Tests later after beating Chris Martin in four consecutive innings.
“It was two Tests against New Zealand, we have another four against India,” Khawaja said.
‘It’s like: leave that aside the selectors. Yes, a bowler had it, but let it go. “He’s a future hall of famer.”
Hughes last fell in the 2013 Ashes, a Test after hitting a crucial 81no alongside Ashton Agar in Cardiff.
“He was probably the one that for some reason always got eliminated first,” Matt Wade said.
Cowan adds: “I just didn’t feel quite right. It’s probably the first time I’ve seen him bitterly disappointed with the selection.
Hughes’ tragic death, just days before his 26th birthday, remains one of the most difficult days for Australian sport this century.
Hughes looked set to earn another call-up to Australia’s Test team to face India in 2014-15, before being struck while on 63no for South Australia against New South Wales.
He was taken to the hospital, but never recovered.
“I got a text from him that day and he said they weren’t going to take me out today,” Hughes manager James Henderson said.
“And they didn’t.”
Hughes’ death, just days before his 26th birthday, remains one of the most difficult days for Australian sport this century.
“I was still just a kid,” Wade said.
‘He played enough international cricket and knew what he had to do.
“It was just a matter of time until he settled on a spot and played 100 Tests.”
Hughes’ mark of 26 first-class centuries before his 26th birthday is second only to Ricky Ponting of all Australians.
“When I saw him play for South Australia, I thought, ‘This guy is so good,'” Khawaja said.
“I put him above Steve Smith at the time, this guy was the pinnacle.
“He was ready to thrive. Just before he passed away, Phillip Hughes was in full swing.