Hughes heads up ICC Cricket World audio show

Dubai, July 3 : Australia's new batting sensation Philip Hughes heads up an all-star cast on this week's ICC Cricket World audio show ahead of the Ashes showdown with England that starts on 8 July.

The 20-year-old left hander, who scored 415 runs in his debut Test series against South Africa earlier this year, including twin hundreds in Durban, is now focussing on next week's first Test in Cardiff – and he can't wait for it to get started.

Talking on this week's programme, online at www.icc-cricket.com from today, Hughes said: 'A five Test series: you think of the Ashes.

'It's world renowned and it's something that, as a kid, you'd always hear about…it's something that I know I can't wait to get involved in.'

Hughes also talks about comparisons to batting great Donald Bradman and his desire to play attacking and entertaining cricket whenever the chance presents itself.

The show can be used in whole or part by radio stations that want cricket content while the public can also download it straight from the ICC website.

Also featuring on the ICC Cricket World audio show this week is ex-England captain Nasser Hussain, who predicts Australia's fast bowler Mitchell Johnson holds the key to the whole series.

'If he can take wickets with the new ball and get Pietersen in early, expose Bopara at number-three early on, then Australia have got a chance,' said Hussain.

'But because they haven't got that front line spinner to go to they need wickets with the new ball and if Johnson can swing the new Duke ball that will go a long way towards getting Ponting twenty wickets.'

The show features an interview with ICC President David Morgan following last week's ICC annual conference week that included meetings of the ICC Chief Executives' Committee and the ICC Board.

There is news of India's ongoing ODI series in the West Indies and the upcoming Sri Lanka – Pakistan Test series as the two sides that featured in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 prepare to go head to head again, this time in the longest form of the game.

And it also includes an update on the Reliance Mobile rankings, a competition and a preview of this week's ICC Cricket World television show.

The weekly show runs for 15 minutes and has been put together by the ICC's global broadcast partner ESPN STAR Sports.

--IBNS