Hughes is Australian Domestic Player of the year

Melbourne - South Australian and Adelaide Strikers left-hander Phil Hughes has been named the Domestic Player of the Year at the Allan Border Medal here Monday.

Hughes received just over one third of player votes (33.8 percent) to edge out Tasmanian paceman Jackson Bird (29.1 percent) and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting (17.6 percent), who started the domestic season in fine style.

Twenty-four year-old Hughes made a much-publicised move from New South Wales to South Australia prior to the 2012-2013 season. Equally talked about was the refinement to his technique as he strived for reinstatement in the Australian team.

His return of 1,108 domestic runs during the voting period speaks volumes for Hughes’ resurgence. He currently heads the list of run-scorers in the Bupa Sheffield Shield competition and sits in second place in the One-Day Cup.

His superb form in domestic ranks earned him a Test recall and ODI selection for the first time. Two centuries in his first five ODIs is the best-ever return for an Australian batsman at the start of his international limited overs career.

Hughes’ Domestic Player of the Year honour follows his success in winning the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award in 2009.