Hughes coming of age in BBL|06: Haddin

It wasn't too long ago that Daniel Hughes was without a KFC Big Bash League contract and plugging away with the NSW Second XI in a bid to get back to first-class cricket. 

Hughes had injuries and plain bad luck run against him for longer than he cares to think about, but his own persistence and that of NSW selectors eventually paid dividends. 

A couple of centuries followed for the Blues in the 2015-16 Sheffield Shield season, before impressive pre-season form earned him a call-up to the state's Matador Cup squad. 

Quick single: Hughes the hero as Heat beaten 

The result was a maiden List A hundred and a place in cricket.com.au's Team of the Tournament. 

And last night, in front of 32,000 people at the Gabba, the classy left-hander showed exactly what he was capable of in the game's shortest format, laying the foundation for the Sydney Sixers' record run chase of 187 against the previously unbeaten Brisbane Heat.

"The pressure's off me with all these big hitters at the top of the order," Hughes said post-match. 

"I really just pick up the odd boundary and get off strike wherever I can, and those guys do all the hitting." 

The 27-year-old was being modest. 

From just 55 balls, Hughes made a match-winning 85, crunching seven fours and four sixes as he showcased a hitting range few suspected he possessed.

And despite falling in the final over with just three runs required to take the Sixers to a total they'd never previously chased, this was an innings well beyond the traditional sheet-anchor role. 

Sixers veteran Brad Haddin said Hughes carried out exactly the job he'd been set. 

"He brings really good balance to us at the top of the order," Haddin told bigbash.com.au. "He allows the rest of us to play with a bit more freedom while he controls the innings. 

"His knock tonight was all class. 

"He's really come of age. He's had a really good 12-18 months and he's only going to get better. 

"What I liked tonight was, he was batting under pressure the whole way – that was the biggest total the Sixers have ever chased, so he filled his role in the team perfectly, controlling the innings and letting us bat more aggressively around him." 

With three wins and two losses, the Sixers are tied for first on six points, though they've played at least one match more than every other team. 

Hughes made 54 against the Thunder in the tournament opener before a hamstring twinge ruled him out for a couple of matches. 

He returned with 16 against the Strikers but played his most decisive BBL hand at the Gabba, and now believes the Sixers are carrying momentum with them as they eye a top-four finish. 

"We've put ourselves in this position – I think if we lose one more we're in a bit of trouble," he said. "So we've got to win most games but there's a good vibe around the group, everyone's excited, everyone's up for it … I think we're going alright – we've got a bit of momentum now, so we'll see what we can do."