Hughes to return as an opener

Phillip Hughes will return to his favoured opening batting slot as he pushes to regain his Test spot.

Hughes, who was picked in Australia's squad but didn't play a Test during their series against Pakistan, will return to the opening spot for the West End Redback's Bupa Sheffield Shield match against the NSW Blues, starting on Saturday. 

The 25-year-old made his Test debut as an opener but has since plugged gaps in the Test order, batting at numbers three, four and six.

While the in-form David Warner appears to be a long-term certainty at the top of Australia's batting order, his 37-year-old opening partner Chris Rogers could come under pressure from the likes of Hughes this summer having finished the series against Pakistan with 88 runs at an average of 22.

Hughes has batted at first drop for the Redbacks in the past, but coach Darren Berry confirmed it's opening where Hughes is most at home.

"That is his preferred position," Berry told AAP.

"I'm really disappointed that Phil Hughes didn't get an opportunity this series (against Pakistan).

"He went over early to prepare, he's done the hard yards, he deserved a chance but he didn't get it.

"But he will come back again ... he has got to put some runs on the board to knock on the door for that first Test now.

"Hughes should be in that team, I don't mind saying that."

Australia's four-Test series against India starts on December 4.

Hughes' return gives Berry a selection headache - who to drop from his SA team which downed Queensland by eight wickets in their Sheffield Shield opener.

Callum Ferguson has told Berry he wants to bat at three to push his Test claims - and made 100 not out and 65 not out against the Bulls.

Openers Andrew McDonald (86) and Mark Cosgrove (46, 78), Tom Cooper (75, 68 not out) and Travis Head (52) were also among the runs.

"It's a great problem for us to have," Berry said.

"We will have to reassess. There is going to be a bloody hard decision to be made. Someone who has done really good in this game is likely to miss."