JUSTIN Langer has long believed cricket is a game played as much between the ears as it is out on the field.
So when Phillip Hughes flew to Perth for a one-on-one session with the old hardhead of Australian cricket, Langer spent as much time exploring how the young Blues opener approaches the game mentally and emotionally as he did honing his batting technique.
"Justin has been great for me. He looked at a few little things with my batting that I won't go into, but the main thing was what we spoke about away from cricket," Hughes said. "The biggest thing for me was listening to Justin's passion for everything - not just cricket but for life. I asked him plenty of questions, but he asked me just as many."
While Langer had Hughes in the nets three times a day, they spoke for hours about the mental side of the game: of the importance of developing a "steel trap mind" so scattered thoughts and negative attitudes do not impact on Hughes' cricket.
It's the same approach Langer developed after being dropped from the Test side before returning to form one of Australia's greatest opening partnerships with fellow left- hander Matthew Hayden.
Hughes, 21, wanted to work with Langer before leaving for a county stint with Hampshire in England. He said he was determined to make an immediate impact upon his return to the competitive arena after a shoulder injury ruined his winter.
Hughes has shown enough in his first seven Tests to suggest he is a player of great potential. Many in Australian cricket hope Langer is the man who can put the finishing touches on his game.
He is averaging an impressive 51.25 in Test cricket and a strong stint overseas and a good start to the 2010-2011 season in Australia could see him thrust back into a Test opening spot alongside NSW teammate Simon Katich.
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