The Ashes: Batting order changes 'frustrating' but Phillip Hughes keen to make a mark

Australian batsmen barring Matthew Wade had a field day against Sussex in the tune up game before the all important third Ashes Test against England, starting on Thursday next week.

Phil Hughes, who had started this tour batting at number 5 against Somerset, has batted at every position from 1 to 6 and has probably been the pick of the Aussie batsmen till now. Against Sussex on Friday, he came out to open with skipper Ed Cowan and the pair added 150 for the first wicket as Australians scored 354/5 on Day 1. Hughes made 84 off 118 balls before edging one to keeper Callum Jackson off Lewis Hatchett.

What will be on the back of his mind though is the fact that, batting at two down in the Lord's Test, he managed two single digit scores. Hughes would want to bring in more consistency in his batting and also be hoping that he is selected for the third Test as David Warner looks set for a comeback.

"I feel like I'm very comfortable at the crease at the moment," Hughes said after play on Day 1 of the tour game against Sussex. "The last Test match obviously didn't go to plan personally but it's only one game. I felt like the first Test match, the 80 I scored was probably one of the better innings I've scored in the international arena. Overall I feel confident and hopefully I'll be in that third Test side when it's selected. But you never know, we'll have to just wait and see."

The constant changing of batting order is due to to two possible reasons - Hughes not making one spot his own and Australia's batting not clicking in general. Hughes too finds it a bit frustrating but is keen to make a mark.

"It's quite bizarre (constant changing of batting order). At times it can be tough to get your head around the different positions but you've just got to get on with it and that's the bottom line. I don't mind where I bat but when you do bat one to six, mentally it can be frustrating. It is about opportunity as well. If you do get one position you do want to nail it down. I haven't nailed it down and that is why they have mixed it up and given people an opportunity."

Hughes admits it that when teams lose, chopping and changing becomes 'necessary'.

"When you lose Test matches there are obviously changes," he said. "When you lose it is not a good thing. It is about finding the right balance. You don't know what they are going to do. It is about improving day in and day out and doing the best you can in these games.

"I think there's always competition and that's a good thing. It's great to see Davey score a big 190 for Australia A and I thought we all batted quite well today. Ed Cowan up front, then Steve Smith and myself. It's always been competition from the word go. That's a good thing."