Phil Hughes – Australia’s secret weapon for the Ashes

England's bowlers made short work of the West Indies batting line up in the first Test at Lords - skittling them twice in five sessions - as the home side strolled to a 10 wicket victory, but they will be up against a different challenge when they take on Australian wunderkind Phil Hughes in the Ashes.

The 20-year-old New South Welshman has been filleting attacks on the county circuit during his early season stay with Middlesex, and his first five championship innings have brought 574 runs at an average of well over 100.

The Observer's Steven Smart has been watching his unusual technique: "The kind way of putting it is that the left-handed Hughes, who in March made two hundreds at Durban in his second Test, likes to step away to leg to create room for a bewildering array of off-side scythes. Surrey's Andre Nel, who on Thursday was so disorientated by this method that he sent down a high full-toss, may have diagnosed cowardice. But since Hughes now averages nigh on 70 from 24 first-class matches, it is not a theory that bears much scrutiny."

There have been mutterings of discontent about Middlesex's decision to hand Hughes the chance to acclimatise himself to English conditions in an Ashes summer, but Angus Fraser, the county's director of cricket, dismisses them - pointing out that if England are to win the Ashes they should be able to beat Australia on a level playing field.

Hughes' presence in England also gives domestic bowlers the chance to size him up. Smart writes: "Theories are already doing the rounds. Bowl round the wicket? Cramp him up? Aim at middle and leg? Throw the ball to Andrew Flintoff and hope he can rediscover his line to Adam Gilchrist in 2005?"

Whatever the outcome, Hughes will be one to watch this summer.