It's on for young and old

Phillip Hughes is barely 20; Bryce McGain approaching 37. Hughes is a farmer's son for whom cricketing greatness seemed assured; McGain a city-dweller who almost abandoned the game for a career in IT. Hughes, the bachelor, might have stepped from the pages of GQ; McGain, the single father, would not look out of place at a meeting of the G8.

The superficial differences between the uncapped duo may be immense, but Hughes and McGain are looming as the pivotal members of the Australian touring squad for South Africa. Barring unforeseen circumstances, both players should find themselves in the starting XI for the first Test on February 26, and stand to be the major difference between the side soundly beaten by South Africa in Perth and Melbourne, and that which aspires to retain its No. 1 ranking in hostile territory.

Untold column inches have been devoted to Hughes' batting exploits since his first-class debut for New South Wales last season. A redoubtable, unorthodox strokemaker with an insatiable appetite for runs, Hughes was deemed to be of baggy green calibre before he received a baggy blue. His 1,570 runs from 17 first-class games attracted much excited chatter among Australian cricketing circles, particularly as Matthew Hayden's position in the Test side became increasingly untenable, and no less a judge than Justin Langer believes him ready to shoulder the responsibility of opening the Australian innings.

Ricky Ponting was hopeful Hughes would establish a solid partnership with his state skipper, Simon Katich, over the coming weeks. "Obviously he's a very driven and motivated young bloke who wants to be very successful for Australia," Ponting said. "He's certainly done that for New South Wales. We hope he can be what we're looking for at the top of the order. He'll be jumping out of his skin, there's no doubt about that. He'll be pretty nervous and pretty excited. Most of us older guys will probably have a good sleep on the flight, but I'd be surprised if he had a sleep.

"I actually had a good catch up with him at the Border Medal. Justin Langer and I had a chance to have a drink with him that night and have a bit of a chat about his cricket and his batting. It was good to learn a little bit about him and see what he's all about. There is a lot of knowledge for me to pass on to guys like him. That will be my job over the next week leading into the first Test, to spend as much time with these young guys as I can and pass on whatever I can."

McGain will presumably require less nurturing, even though his international resume is identical to Hughes'. At 36, McGain, the Victoria legspinner, is the oldest member of the touring party, and brings with him decades of experience from the parks of Melbourne and, more recently, the stadiums of Australia.

McGain's importance to Australian cricket cannot be overstated. Not since Stuart MacGill's retirement during last year's tour to the West Indies has the team had at its disposal an attacking legspinner, and with major series against South Africa and England looming - neither of whom are known for their prowess against wrist-spin - McGain will be called upon to provide variation and relief to an attack that lacked both in 2008. And just as crucial, McGain can buy the selectors time as they attempt to unearth Australia's next long-term slow bowler.

"It's always nice to have a very good and highly skilled legspinner in your side," Ponting said. "There's every chance that he could just be that factor that we need over there. We know that over the years Shane Warne had a great record against the South Africans, and at different times had them under a spell. Hopefully Bryce, if he gets a chance to play in the Test matches over there, can do a great job for us and be a wicket-taking option."