Phillip Hughes picked the perfect time to score a century as he improved his chances of coming back into the Test squad in Melbourne. With Ricky Ponting's sore elbow putting his place in doubt for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, Australia will be looking for a top-order batsman at least as cover and Hughes showed he was in form with 122 in New South Wales' 8 for 390 declared against Victoria.
After the first day was washed out in Newcastle, Hughes showed he was back in the sort of touch that earned him a Test debut in South Africa with a series of strong cuts and drives. Jamie Cox, the Test selector, was watching as Hughes collected 13 fours and two sixes during his 179-ball stay, although he did benefit from three misses after passing his half-century.
Despite Hughes' strong performance, the Blues' middle order wasn't able to capitalise on their strong start, but they were saved by the tail-enders. Phil Jaques and Usman Khawaja went to John Hastings by the time the score was 18 before Hughes and Ben Rohrer put on 120 for the third wicket until Rohrer became the first of three victims for Andrew McDonald.
McDonald created problems for David Warner (28) and Daniel Smith (1) while Jon Holland, the left-arm spinner, picked up Hughes, who hit to square leg, and also removed Grant Lambert as the Blues slipped to 7 for 224. However, the captain Moises Henriques pushed forward with 40 before Steve O'Keefe and Mitchell Starc flattened the visitors with a stand of 124 for the ninth wicket.
O'Keefe finished with 82 while Starc, the No. 10, had 54 as they enjoyed the bowling and both cleared the fence before the declaration. Victoria were 0 for 5 after four overs in their reply.
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