Hughes’ 112 saw him become the first Australian to score a hundred on debut, while stand-in skipper George Bailey made 89 and David Hussey hit 60 from just 34 balls.
Australia’s other top-order debutants Aaron Finch (16) and Usman Khawaja (three) failed to match Hughes’ crowd-pleasing performance – he described his maiden ODI hundred as a dream come true.
“To get three figures on debut is a great feeling and one I’ll never forget,” he told the Nine Network.
Australia made 5-305.
With the recent success of the Big Bash League – almost 50,000 turned up to the MCG on Sunday night to witness a home town derby that descended into farcical scenes when Shane Warne lost his temper with Marlon Samuels – the one day format is under scrutiny.
There had been a lot of criticism about the “B grade side” Australia fielded on Friday after Michael Clarke, David Warner and Matthew Wade were rested and Michael Hussey told his services were no longer required.
It’s the most first-gamers Australia have played in an ODI game since January 1986 when Simon Davis, Dave Gilbert, Bruce Reid and Steve Waugh made their debuts.
Image via Getty
