Phillip Hughes was "livid" with Australian selectors following what would ultimately prove his final Test axing, his official autobiography has revealed.
In extracts of Phillip Hughes: The Official Biography published by News Corp on Saturday, former Australian captain Michael Clarke and opening batsman Ed Cowan said Hughes was devastated after being dropped following the second Test of the 2013 Ashes tour of England.
Clarke revealed that after playing in what would be his final appearance in his baggy green before his death last year, Hughes had pleaded for an extended run in the Australian XI.
"I can still see it so clearly, Hughesy sitting in my room and showing how much it hurt him," Clarke said.
"He felt ready. He just needed a long run in the team. He was saying, `I will show that I can do it'. He respected that he needed to perform, he just needed a decent run. I wasn't a selector, but as captain, I had to act like I had made the decision.
"I couldn't disagree with him, but in my position I wasn't able to say I agreed with him either. It was tough for the selectors too, because he wanted to play for Australia so much."
Hughes died in November last year two days after being felled by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield game against NSW at the SCG.
Selector Mark Waugh later revealed that Hughes was poised to make his Test return against India in the first Test of the 2014 summer at the Gabba.
After debuting against South Africa in 2009, Hughes played just 26 Tests and was regularly in and out of the side.
Cowan said Hughes was frustrated and angry after he was dropped following the 2013 Ashes Test at Lord's, one game after making a memorable 81 not out in the series opener at Trent Bridge.
"It made me consistently angry on his behalf," Cowan said.
"He was livid after that Lord's Test when he was dropped. He was furious.
"He might have only let it slip to one or two people, but he was furious. They were talking about how there was no batting coming through, but we had a guy who could be the best batsman in the world and they kept doing him over."
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