SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 04: Phillip Hughes of Australia looks on during day two of the Second Test match between Australia and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The 10th of March, 2009 marked the completion of the second test between Australia and South Africa in Durban, but also was the outset of one of Australia's most promising batsman.
The late Phillip Hughes announced himself to the world by putting on display a batting masterclass at the Kingsmead stadium, against a bowling lineup comprising the likes of Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Jacques Kallis, and Morne Morkel.
After a duck and a well-made 75 in the first test, Hughes displayed incredible maturity against arguably the most-feared attack at that point in world cricket by scoring 275 runs across the two innings.
After the first test, the Proteas attack had a single game plan of bouncing the then 20-year-old back to the pavilion but instead, Hughes smashed them all over the park. His opening batting partner Simon Katich was nothing but impressed by the youngster's grit.
"The Proteas thought they could pepper him," he said at the time.
“He responded by taking each and every one them to the cleaners.
“They set a seven-two field for most of the day, thinking they could get him nicking off at gully or in the slips."
“Instead, he smashed them square of the wicket when they went short and down the ground or off his pads when they tried a fuller length. He was just as potent off the front foot as the back.
Hughes brought up his 100 in the first innings with two straight sixes finishing with 115 of 151 balls and only went on to better that performance by scoring a much more patient 160 of 323 balls in the second innings.
Hughes' twin tons not only helped his side secure the series against a Proteas team that beat the Aussies in the home series but also broke a 79-year-old record set by West Indian legend George Headley to become the youngest player to score twin tons in a test match.