Phillip Who?

Phillip Hughes' rise to stardom has happened so quickly, he's barely had time to think. Hughes made his First-Class debut for New South Wales in November 2007, at the tender age of 18. He made 51 in a game that NSW won by an innings, and since then, the unorthodox left-hander has made only nineteen scores of less than fifty in 42 innings. It's this form that propelled him into Australia's Test Match squad to face South Africa last winter, in a series he went on to score 415 runs at an average of 69.16, and with a highest score of 160. I dare to say, not since Sir Don has there been such hype and excitement over an individual playing for Australia.

Hughes' unorthodox, innovative strokeplay has enlightened cricket watchers all over the world, and his bubbly, confident character is typical of the Australian ethos. His dyed blond hair, and shiny earring mirror that of Michael Clarke, who had similar coverage when he first burst onto the scene in India, back in 2005. His fantastic domestic record betters anyone in the game at the same stage in their career, and with the Ashes just around the corner, he seems to have timed it superbly.

One may have been forgiven for thinking Hughes' couldn't cut it at international level after his first innings, in which he was dismissed for a third-ball duck by Dale Steyn. However, he showed great resilience and character to bounce back, and in the second innings of his debut match he cracked a gutsy 75 from 121 balls. In the second test he announced himself onto the world stage. In the first innings he smashed 115 of just 151 balls with 19 fours and 2 sixes, and in the second knock, he obliterated the South African attack, hitting a Test Match best 160 including 3 huge sixes. It was after this match, in which Hughes was named man-of-the-match, that Australian cricket really learned that they've found a gem.

2 years ago nobody had heard of Phillip Hughes. Now, he is being hailed as the next Adam Gilchrist (without the wicket-keeping pedigree). His trademark back-foot drive highlights his incredible bat-speed and timing, something that could prove vital against England's quick, bouncy bowlers - the likes of Andrew Flintoff. With Matthew Hayden now out of the international scene, it seems Australia have found the perfect replacement. With Hughes only 20 years of age, how good can he be? One thing is for sure - this man will be around for a very long time yet.