Australian opening batsman Phillip Hughes' contrasting centuries against South Africa in the second Test represented a special moment in his fledgling international career.
The 20-year-old Hughes hit 160 as Australia declared after scoring 331-5 on the fourth day of the second Test, setting South Africa 546 runs to win.
Opener Hughes had scored a more aggressive 115 in the first innings for his maiden Test century, breaking the record of former West Indian batsman George Headley as the youngest player to hit two hundreds in one match.
Playing in his third Test, one-down Jamaican batsman George Headley became the youngest batsman to score two consecutive centuries in the same Test in 1930 when he notched up 114 and 112 against England in Georgetown.
Headley was a little over 20 years and 2 months when he created the record whereas Philip Hughes, playing in only his second Test after replacing Matthew Hayden as Australia’s opener, was 20 years and 98 days when he broke the long-standing record.
"It's something I'll never forget, a very special moment," Hughes said.
Hughes' first-innings total came off 151 balls while his second required 323 deliveries.
"I was determined not to give it away after I got a start," he said.
Hughes, whose Test career started with a four-ball duck in the first Test at the Wanderers, has since followed with scores of 75, 115 and 160.
South Africa will have to stage a remarkable comeback if it's to save the match and stay alive in the three-Test series. Australia currently leads 1-0.
The Proteas will not have the services of opener and captain Graeme Smith, who fractured his little finger when hit by fast bowler Mitchell Johnson on Saturday.
The 20-year-old Hughes hit 160 as Australia declared after scoring 331-5 on the fourth day of the second Test, setting South Africa 546 runs to win.
Opener Hughes had scored a more aggressive 115 in the first innings for his maiden Test century, breaking the record of former West Indian batsman George Headley as the youngest player to hit two hundreds in one match.
Playing in his third Test, one-down Jamaican batsman George Headley became the youngest batsman to score two consecutive centuries in the same Test in 1930 when he notched up 114 and 112 against England in Georgetown.
Headley was a little over 20 years and 2 months when he created the record whereas Philip Hughes, playing in only his second Test after replacing Matthew Hayden as Australia’s opener, was 20 years and 98 days when he broke the long-standing record.
"It's something I'll never forget, a very special moment," Hughes said.
Hughes' first-innings total came off 151 balls while his second required 323 deliveries.
"I was determined not to give it away after I got a start," he said.
Hughes, whose Test career started with a four-ball duck in the first Test at the Wanderers, has since followed with scores of 75, 115 and 160.
South Africa will have to stage a remarkable comeback if it's to save the match and stay alive in the three-Test series. Australia currently leads 1-0.
The Proteas will not have the services of opener and captain Graeme Smith, who fractured his little finger when hit by fast bowler Mitchell Johnson on Saturday.
AP with Sportz Interactive inputs
Monday, March 09, 2009 6:16:27 PM
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