Such numbers proved impossible to ignore for Australia's selectors, who named him in the squad to tour South Africa in February and March of that year as the opener tasked with replacing the recently retired Matthew Hayden. Four centuries and 891 runs at 74.68 in 2008-009 won Hughes recognition at the Allan Border Medal // Getty In February 2009, after another prolific year in domestic first-class cricket, Hughes was named the Bradman Young Player of the Year at the Allan Border Medal ceremony. Hughes leaps into the air upon reaching a century in the 2008 Pura Cup final // Getty Captain and mentor, Simon Katich was at the crease to congratulate the teenage sensation // Getty He became the youngest player to score a century in a Sheffield Shield final, making 116 in the second innings against Victoria in the 2007-08 Pura Cup final. Phillip Hughes scored 51 in his first-class debut against Tasmania, November 2007 // Getty Imagesīy 19, he was firmly entrenched in the NSW Blues side as an opening batter under the captaincy of Simon Katich. Hughes had moved to Sydney at 17 and joined Western Suburbs Cricket Club, where he first met and played alongside Michael Clarke. He had an off-side-dominated game honed at his family's Macksville home on the state's mid north coast. Phillip Hughes made his debut in the New South Wales state side as a precociously talented 18-year-old, with quick hands and a sharp eye.