This was published 11 years ago
Phillip Hughes - A rare talent
The man who earned comparisons with Bradman for the breathtaking start to his Test career has died after being struck in the head by a bouncer.
Phillip Hughes achieved history during his seven-year first-class career, becoming the youngest player ever to score centuries in each innings of a Test. He also became the first Australian to score a hundred on ODI debut.
Whether Hughes would ever live up to the promise of his early career will never be known as his life, and his career, was tragically cut short.
Phillip Hughes burst onto the first class scene with NSW in 2007.
The budding prodigy represented his country in the under-19 World Cup in 2007.
His unusual technique, particularly square of the wicket, confounded bowlers.
He scored his maiden ton in the 07/08 Shield final, the youngest ever to achieve the feat.
There were more centuries to come the following season.
The precocious Hughes won the Bradman young player of the year award in 2009.
The 20-year-old was picked for his first Test against the might of South Africa in 2009.
He debuted alongside Marcus North and Ben Hilfenhaus.
His international career started inauspiciously. Dale Steyn dismissing him for a duck.
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