Blossoming NSW batsman Daniel Hughes has set his sights on a first century of the Sheffield Shield season after one near miss and several starts.
Touted as a potential Test player early in the season by NSW and Australian leaders Steve Smith and David Warner, Hughes leads the Blues batters with 276 runs at an average of 55.20, but hasn't managed a century.
"I got 98 not out and a 57 and a few other twenties and thirties," Hughes said two days before the start of the Blues' match against Tasmania in Hobart.
"I'd really like to turn those starts into big hundreds, hopefully this week I can do that."
Hughes believes being restored to his usual opening role will afford him more opportunities to build big scores.
He batted at No.6 for the first three rounds before being pushed back up the order for last week's game against Victoria.
"I think batting at six was a bit different for me, as I was trying to bat with the tail which I haven't done in the past," Hughes said.
"I sort of felt like I needed to move the game forward.
"Batting at the top of the order I can build more of an innings, go through the gears and be a bit more relaxed and a bit more comfortable in my game.
"I do enjoy enjoy facing the new ball."
Hughes, who made his first-class debut in 2013, averages a tick under 40 and has notched three tons in his career.
Smith and Warner clearly believe the late blooming 28-year-old batsman has what it takes to play at a higher level.
"It was nice to get your name mentioned and the skipper and Davey talking about you the way they did," Hughes said
"But it didn't change the way I went about things. I always knew that I needed to score runs to keep my spot for NSW.
"Hopefully if I keep scoring runs then my name will still be there."
Smith's high opinion of him was underlined when Hughes was controversially chosen in the Blues side alongside their Test stars, ahead of last season's leading Sheffield Shield run-scorer Ed Cowan.
"'Obviously unlucky to Eddie, but it was nice for my confidence to know that I can play in a strong NSW side at the start of the year," Hughes said.
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