Hughes ready for Harmison’s bouncer barrage

London, July 15 : Australian opener Phillip Hughes has said that he is eyeing off another showdown with giant England quick Steve Harmison, who has been drafted into the host squad for the second Test, beginning at Lord''s tomorrow.

Harmison twice bounced out Hughes in a tour match at Worcester and England insists the 20-year-old opener has a clear weakness against extreme bounce.

"Whatever is in front of me I''m looking forward to it - for me I look for challenges and this will be a challenge but that''s what Test cricket is all about - tough and uncompromising and that''s what I like," The Telegraph quoted Hughes, as saying.

"If they pick him, well and good, but my concern is not just him; but every one of their bowlers. They have three or four other real quality bowlers and so my focus isn''t just on Harmison. You have to play that red ball that''s in front of you and that is my sole focus," he added.

Hughes has been receiving some one-on-one batting tuition from Test skipper Ricky Ponting.

In several private net sessions, Ponting instructed Hughes on how to be decisive against a bumper barrage - either by hitting aggressive cross-batted shots or taking evasive action.

Hughes, the son of a NSW banana farmer, has already made giant strides.

"I was in grade 10 at school when the last Ashes Test here was played at Lord''s and now for the first time for my country I''ll be walking out to open the batting at the home of cricket," he said. (ANI)