Langer asks ' fantastic" Hughes to ignore critics and play his natural game

Melbourne, Nov 21 (ANI): Australia’s new batting coach Justin Langer has backed Phillip Hughes, and said the self-styled opener should ignore the critics and stick to his guns.

 Langer said Hughes, who enjoyed a brilliant debut series in South Africa earlier this year, must draw on his mental strength rather than seek to tinker with his technique.

 “It’s almost like a hidden rule,” Langer said after Hughes produced a stylish 79 for NSW in their drawn Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at the SCG on Friday.

 “Whenever you have a lean run, you (media) guys are all over people. Last year people said Haydos had technique problems. The press were all over him. It was more about his clarity of mind,” News.com.au quoted Langer, as saying.

 Langer asked Hughes not to concern himself too much with those who say he needs to make some adjustments to his technique against the bouncer.

 “He’s playing fine. It (being dropped and fighting your way back into the side) is part of an Australian cricketer’s journey,” he said.

 “It happened to Punter (Ricky Ponting), Haydos, Marto (Damien Martyn), even Shane Warne got dropped at one stage. When they came back they were even better players. Michael Clarke is an example.

 “I’m an unabashed fan of Phillip Hughes. He’s fantastic. He’ll be back bigger and stronger, whether it’s in two weeks or two years,” Langer said.

 Hughes hasn’t been included in Australia’s Test squad for Thursday’s first Test against West Indies in Brisbane, where all-rounder Shane Watson will open the batting with Simon Katich.