Hussey salutes at end of dream career

By James Maasdorp

Updated January 06, 2013 23:49:33

Michael Hussey says his whole career has felt like a dream after ending his last Test match for Australia a winner at the SCG.

Australia successfully chased down the 141 runs required to beat Sri Lanka with five wickets in hand in Sydney and sweep the series 3-0, with Hussey (27 not out) in the middle to see the hosts home.

The Aussies lost wickets at regular intervals as the crowd repeatedly chanted for Hussey to come out and cap off a fairytale finish to a wonderful Test career, alongside Mitchell Johnson (1 not out).

As it happened: Third Test, Day Four

"I couldn't have dreamed of it, I can remember when I hadn't even played and Jason Gillespie said to me 'I reckon you've got 50 Tests in you, Huss'," he told Grandstand.

"I laughed at him straight in the face.

"I said 'no way, mate', I was already probably 30 years of age, I would have bitten his hand off right then (to get 50).

"To go on and play 79, to be part of a World Cup and an Ashes-winning team, that's what it's all about.

"I've exceeded anything I could have ever dreamed of, and the game's given me so much, so I feel very fortunate."

Hussey leaves the long form of the game with a sterling record, averaging 51.52 with the bat having scored 6,235 runs for his country.

He thanked the SCG crowd for their send-offs throughout the four days of cricket, but said he was hoping the batsmen above him could get the job done without him.

"I'm a little bit embarrassed about [the send-offs], to be honest - the support has just been overwhelming," he said.

"I can't believe it and I've got to thank the Sydney crowd so much because they've been absolutely fantastic.

"There's always pressure, that's what Test cricket is all about. I was hoping not to bat, I was hoping we would have got the runs none down, but it was nice to go out there and be there close to the end.

"To be there with Mitchell Johnson was brilliant, it's another Australian win and I'm very proud.

"I was hoping Michael Clarke and Ed Cowan could get through to tea because the crowd were beginning to call for one of them to get out, and I wanted to make sure that both of them stayed there and finished the job.

"It was great to get out there. I admit I was a bit nervous ... you just don't want to let anyone down there, and I'm just proud to be out there."

Wicket-keeper Matthew Wade, who hit a gutsy 102 in the first innings but was bowled out by for 8 in the second, lauded Hussey's performances throughout his career and said his farewell was a fitting one.

"What a Test match, awesome. It was always going to happen like that, Mr Cricket was ... always going to bat out there for the winning runs," Wade told Grandstand.

"The crowd's been amazing, the whole Test match. [Hussey is] a little bit embarrassed about it, he didn't want any fuss over him, but unfortunately it was always going to happen."

Read the story: Hussey left out of ODI squad

Hussey steps away from Test cricket and, while he has yet to retire from the limited overs game, he was omitted from Australia's squad for the first two ODI matches against Sri Lanka.

But his younger brother David will continue the Hussey tradition in Australian gold, with Michael wishing him all the best.

"I hope [David] goes well, it's a great opportunity for a lot of guys now around the Australian team," Hussey said.

"We'll see which one's going to stand up and take his opportunity and be part of the next generation of Australian cricket.

"I hope it is [David], he really wants it, but we'll really have to wait and see."

Tags: cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia, sri-lanka

First posted January 06, 2013 17:11:59

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Homesickness prompted Hussey exit call

Updated December 30, 2012 14:24:02

Michael Hussey says the prospect of spending seven of the next 12 months away from his family led to his decision to quit international cricket.

Hussey said the fact he was dreading rather than looking forward to the prestigious tours of India and England, made leaving the international game an easy one.

"I first started to doubt my desire to continue as a Test cricketer on the last couple of away tours," Hussey told News Limited.

Read Mike Hussey: Six of the Best

"The first I was away for two-and-a-half months and the next for three months. I found the separation from my family very hard.

"It got more and more difficult to say goodbye each time. So I made the decision I wanted to play out the Australian summer and see how I felt.

"To see whether I had the desire to spend seven of the next 12 months on the road, to India and the Ashes.

"If I'm honest, I wasn't anywhere near as excited about those tours as I should have been. And to pull on the baggy green cap you've got to be 100 per cent committed.

"I always have given 100 per cent and didn't want it to get to the stage where I was playing for Australia and wanted to be somewhere else.

"So I decided to move on, while my form is still quite good. It will be nice to go out on top. The next 12 months are going to be brutal and, at 37, I just feel it is going to be too much for me."

Hussey revealed that he told Mickey Arthur and Michael Clarke after the victory in Melbourne and let the rest of the team know since then.

"I told the Australian coach Mickey Arthur and captain Michael Clarke in the dressing room after our Second Test win over Sri Lanka," Hussey said.

"I didn't want to tell the players though, to ruin the song and the special feeling you get when you win a Test series.

"I have spent the past 48 hours phoning them all or talking to them one-on-one.

"Most were a bit shocked. But they were happy for me as well. To be able to go out on my terms."

Hussey, who has to choose the next player to lead the singing of Australia's victory song 'Under the Southern Cross I Stand', said though he will miss being part of the team ultimately it was an easy call to make.

"It may shock a few people but let me assure everyone I am at peace with what was the toughest - yet easiest - decision I have ever made," .

"Toughest because I will miss the camaraderie post-match and leading the team song after a sweet victory inside the dressing room.

"Easiest because the decision has been made for family reasons to be there 24/7 for my wife Amy and children Jasmin (eight), William (six), Molly (five) and Oscar (six months)."

Tags: sport, cricket, wa, australia

First posted December 30, 2012 14:22:49

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Hussey 'very comfortable' with retirement decision

Updated December 31, 2012 13:37:18

Michael Hussey says he knows he has made the "right decision" to retire from international cricket at the end of the Australian summer.

Hussey has announced that the third Test against Sri Lanka starting on Thursday at the SCG will be his final appearance in the five-day arena, prior to making his one-day international farewell.

The 37-year-old will enter the SCG encounter with an impressive Test resume under his belt, having scored 6,183 from his 78 appearances at an average of 51.52.

He has 19 Test centuries to his name and 29 half-centuries since making his debut against West Indies in Brisbane in November, 2005.

His one-day international career has also been solid with 5,442 runs posted at an average of 48.15 from 185 matches.

Hussey says he began to seriously consider retirement prior to the commencement of the recent three-Test series against South Africa.

But he wanted to wait until the current series against Sri Lanka was underway before he made his final decision.

"I have been thinking about for quite a period of time," Hussey told Grandstand.

"But there was probably a bit of a moment when I was away on one of my last trips, probably during the Champions League in South Africa, when I thought ''I'm pretty sure I'll make the decision at the end of the Australian summer'.

"I wanted to come into the Aussie summer and and enjoy it and just play as well as I could, and my feelings pretty much haven't changed coming up to now.

"I'm very happy and very comfortable to be going out on top, I guess."

Hussey will be "going out on top", having so far enjoyed a rich vein of form during the domestic Tests.

He averaged 59 against the Proteas, courtesy of back-to-back centuries at the Gabba and Adelaide Oval, in additional to a half-century in Australia's second innings at the latter.

The Western Australian is also leading the home side's averages with 180 following two Tests against Sri Lanka, having recorded another century in the series opener in Hobart.

He would no doubt have played a pivotal role in Australia's upcoming series away to India and England but he admits the desire to continue had begun to wane.

"I was looking forward to the Indian series and the Ashes series and I didn't have the same excitement and buzz about the challenges ahead that I felt I needed to have," he said.

Hussey also concedes the lengthy absence from his young family while on tour in India and England would have taken its toll.

"I certainly was probably more dreading that than looking forward to the challenges that are going to come forward for that," he said.

Hussey's rise to the Test ranks at the age of 30 was a victory for perseverance, as it came 11 seasons after his first-class debut for Western Australia.

He had long been touted as a future Test player but such was the strength of Australia's batting order he had no choice but to wait his turn.

The long road to making his debut meant his memory is somewhat blurred when he reflects on the presentation of his Baggy Green by the late Bill Brown at the Gabba seven years ago.

"It's such an emotional moment, particularly for me because it took me so long just to get the opportunity to play one Test," he said.

"It just felt like the culmination of so many ups and downs and so many hurdles you had to overcome over the course of my career and just to be standing there that day in front of my team-mates and receive that ... it's just a little green cap really, but it represents so much more than that.

"It represents such a long journey."

Hussey says many of his team-mates were shocked by his announcement, but supported his decision.

Tags: cricket, sport, perth-6000

First posted December 30, 2012 20:15:48

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Hussey left out of ODI squad

Updated January 06, 2013 10:25:47

Michael Hussey is set to be denied a farewell appearance on the one-day international stage after being left out of Australia's squad to face Sri Lanka in the upcoming five-match series.

Hussey announced last month that he would retire at the end of the Australian summer and is in the midst of playing his final Test against Sri Lanka at the SCG.

He has been omitted from the squad for the one-day series against Sri Lanka beginning in Melbourne on Friday, with the National Selection Panel (NSP) citing the need to blood players for the 2015 World Cup.

It is also unlikely Hussey will be considered for the series against West Indies that follows the five matches against Sri Lanka.

NSP chairman John Inverarity says there was little room for sentiment when deciding whether Hussey would be afforded a farewell in the one-day arena.

"Our intention before two weeks ago was to give Michael a break during the Sri Lankan series and have him refreshed and ready to come back in the ODIs for the West Indies and then off the India," he said.

"Of course things changed last week we've talked it over with Mike but the overriding fact is what is best for Australian cricket and we move forward and we are very mindful of the 2015 World Cup."

Australia captain Michael Clarke will be rested from the opening two-matches of the series, so as to allow him time to recover from his niggling hamstring injury.

George Bailey has been named captain in place of Clarke, while David Warner and Matthew Wade are among those also left out of the 13-man squad as part of the resting policy.

Injured duo Shane Watson and James Pattinson were also not considered for the matches at the MCG (January 11) and Adelaide Oval (January 13).

Brad Haddin has been named as wicketkeeper in place of Wade, although Inverarity denies there are concerns about Wade's glove work behind the stumps.

Inverarity says Wade is "keeping well" but he did concede there is scope for improvement.

"He's a very talented cricketer, a very talented keeper and batsman," he said.

"He's young and we think he will get better and better and this has been the history of Australian cricket."

Queensland paceman Ben Cutting is set to make his one-day international debut after being included in the squad, while Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja have also been named.

Meanwhile, Dean Jones has been added to the coaching staff for the opening two matches to work as batting coach.

Stuart Law had been holding the position on a temporary basis following the recent resignation of Justin Langer but has decided to return to his role as high performance coach at the Centre of Excellence.

Australia squad:

George Bailey (captain), Ben Cutting, Xavier Doherty, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Phillip Hughes, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted January 06, 2013 09:16:02

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Hussey announces Test farewell

Updated December 30, 2012 00:57:22

Veteran Australia batsmen Michael Hussey has announced he will retire from Test cricket following the third Test against Sri Lanka starting at the SCG on Thursday.

The 37-year-old Hussey revealed his decision on Saturday, adding that he will play both one-day series against Sri Lanka and West Indies following the SCG Test.

He has scored 6,183 runs at an average of 51.52 from 78 Tests, his career including 19 centuries and 29 half-centuries.

Hussey has made 185 one-day international appearances, scoring 5,442 runs at 48.15, and he was an integral member of the Australia squad that won the 2007 World Cup in West Indies.

He says his decision is based on a desire to spend more time with his young family.

"I was quite excited to tell them (children) that I'm not going to go away and play for Australia any more," Hussey told the Nine Network.

"They were happy but not as excited as I thought they were going to be. So it was a bit of a shock."

Hussey says any Test match is a stressful experience, but next week could be different.

"I feel like I can come into this last Test match with no pressure whatsoever," he said.

"I can just really go out there and enjoy it."

Hussey's rise to the Test ranks did not come until late in his career, making his debut against West Indies in 2005 aged 30.

He made an inauspicious start with innings of 1 and 29 at the Gabba but posted back-to-back centuries in the following two Tests in Hobart and Adelaide.

His place in the Australia Test XI had come into question at various stages during the past three years but he has repaid the faith shown in him again this summer.

Hussey's recent form has been excellent and he is averaging 180.00 after two Tests in the current series against Sri Lanka with scores of 115 not out, 31 not out and 34 in Hobart and Melbourne.

He had earlier scored two centuries in last month's three-Test series against South Africa.

"I know how low I felt when my head was on the chopping block and I was probably one innings away from maybe being dropped from the team," Hussey said.

"It's not a nice place to be in. That's one thing about playing for Australia, there is always a lot stress and a lot of pressure to perform."

The Western Australian's departure places pressure on Australia's selectors to settle on a suitable batting line-up by the end of the India Test tour in February-March ahead of the Ashes series in England starting in July.

His retirement will also leave Australia with a significant leadership void, with the decision following that of former captain Ricky Ponting to retire last month.

The immediate playing future of vice-captain Shane Watson is also in doubt after he was ruled out of the SCG Test with a calf injury.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland says Hussey has been a true servant at the Test level.

"Michael Hussey has been a vital contributor to many Australian team wins over his very successful Test cricket career," he said in a statement.

"Affectionately known as 'Mr Cricket', he has always been thoroughly committed to meticulous preparation and the highest levels of physical fitness which have in turn delivered consistent performances in all forms of the game.

"An incredibly reliable player and leader within the Australian cricket team, Michael will retire from Test cricket with a record that puts him amongst the very best Australian batsmen of all time."

ABC/AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, perth-6000

First posted December 29, 2012 18:30:41

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Hussey withdraws from England tour

Updated June 10, 2012 18:05:35

Veteran batsman Mike Hussey has pulled out of Australia's upcoming one-day international tour of England and Ireland for family reasons.

He will be replaced by Peter Forrest, who was named as a standby in the initial Australian squad.

"Due to our baby being born three months early, it is important for the family for me to be here at this time," Hussey said in a Cricket Australia statement.

"It is always difficult to miss any tour for Australia and I thank CA for their understanding of our family's situation."

The team leaves this Thursday for Ireland, where it will play a single one-dayer before moving to England for a five-match 50-over series.

Tags: onedayseries, cricket, sport, australia

First posted June 10, 2012 18:05:35

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Hussey in awe of pace duo

Updated June 20, 2012 10:00:32

Australia batsman David Hussey is confident youngsters Pat Cummins and James Pattinson can develop into the pace spearheads the national team so desperately craves.

Australia has traditionally been well stocked in the fast bowling department and able to call upon giants of the game such as Dennis Lillee and Glenn McGrath.

Brett Lee briefly led the attack following McGrath's retirement in 2007, but the likes of Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson have not been quite able to fill the position for any decent length of time.

Hussey described facing Australia's six-strong pace division in the nets at Leicester this week as a "necessary evil" and that teenager Cummins and 22-year-old team-mate Pattinson have impressed.

"I think both of them could be once in a generation players," he said.

"I think they could carry Australia's attack for the next 10-12 years."

Hussey says the aggression of Cummins and Pattinson is one of their key attributes.

"They both move the ball at pace ... and they are aggressive," he said.

"They are not like a young player these days, they are in your face.

"I really like that about them. It is a great quality to have."

Australia opens its 50-over tour of the United Kingdom with Thursday's match against Leicestershire at Grace Road followed by this weekend's one-day international against Ireland in Belfast.

The tourists will squeeze in another warm-up match in Essex before the five-match one-day series against England starts on June 29 at Lord's.

"We are the number-one ranked ODI team in the world and we cherish that ranking," Hussey said.

"We don't want to let it go but England play particularly well on their home soil.

"It is up to us to adjust as quickly as possible. It is going to be a very close series."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, united-kingdom, england

First posted June 20, 2012 10:00:32

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Hussey has no plans to go quietly

Updated January 22, 2012 23:32:45

Mike Hussey has put his hand up for the West Indies tour in March and the Twenty20 World Cup in September, saying he has given no thought to retiring from international cricket.

The left-hander is averaging 84.33 in the series against India which concludes with the fourth Test starting in Adelaide on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old feels he has a big role to play in helping fourth-ranked Australia get back to number one in Test cricket and says he has always been brought up on the philosophy young players need to earn the right to play for Australia.

The Adelaide match marks the end of Australia's Test summer at home, with Twenty20 matches against India and a one-day series against India and Sri Lanka to follow, then a full tour of the Caribbean.

"I'm looking forward to this Test match. I haven't looked beyond that at all at this stage," Hussey said on Sunday following speculation he should step down because he was unlikely to be a part of the 2013 Ashes tour.

"I've just really tried to set myself for this series. But my body feels good and I still feel like I'm playing well.

"I'm definitely thinking of continuing on. I'd love to go to the West Indies.

"The culture I was always brought up in is the next generation have to earn their right to play for Australia.

"It took me over 10 years of first-class cricket just to get one game for Australia so I certainly don't feel the responsibility to pass the baton on.

"We can say that there's no batsman banging on the door but there's some outstanding players out there who are batting in some pretty difficult first-class conditions.

"I still feel like I've got a big role to play in the team with experience to help some of the younger members of the team."

Hussey said he had seen no signs from team-mates Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin that they were contemplating retirement.

Hussey also says the appointment of former South Africa mentor Mickey Arthur in November has rejuvenated the Australians.

Taking a 3-0 lead over India meant a huge difference in the morale within the change rooms after last summer's 3-1 Ashes defeat.

"For a while there everyone did get a little bit insular. It was a bit quieter, probably a bit more intense," he said.

"Now the new coach has stepped in, the new selectors have stepped in, the communication has been really good.

"Everyone knows where they stand, they know what their roles are and they know where they want to take the team in the future.

"That gives everyone a lot of heart and a lot of confidence. You can relax again and be yourself and you can really see the characters coming out in all the team."

Tim Nielsen, whose coaching reign included last summer's Ashes flop, admits Arthur is doing an excellent job.

"There is a genuine enthusiasm and want from some blokes to make their mark," Nielsen said.

"Change is never a negative thing and the selectors have done a good job to pick the young players."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted January 22, 2012 19:07:50

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Hussey puts hand up for West Indies tour

Updated January 22, 2012 13:53:39

Australia's Mike Hussey is putting his hand up for the West Indies tour in March and says he has given no thought to retiring from international cricket.

The middle-order batsman is averaging 84.33 in the series against India which concludes with the fourth Test starting in Adelaide on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old feels he has a big role to play in helping fourth-ranked Australia get back to the top in Test cricket and says he has always been brought up on the philosophy young players need to earn the right to play for Australia.

The Adelaide match marks the end of Australia's Test summer at home, with Twenty20 matches against India and a one-day series against India and Sri Lanka to follow before a full tour of the Caribbean.

"I'm looking forward to this Test match. I haven't looked beyond that at all at this stage," Hussey said on Sunday.

"I've just really tried to set myself for this series. But my body feels good and I still feel like I'm playing well.

"I still feel mentally wanting to turn up for training and mentally keen for the battle out in the middle so from that point of view, I'm definitely thinking of continuing on.

"I'd love to go to the West Indies.

"The culture I was always brought up in is the next generation have to earn their right to play for Australia.

"It took me over 10 years of first-class cricket just to get one game for Australia so I certainly don't feel the responsibility to pass the baton on.

"I still feel like I've got a big role to play in the team with experience to help some of the younger members of the team.

"Plus I still feel like I can contribute to Australia working their way back to where we want to be which is the number one team in the world."

Hussey said he had seen no signs from Ricky Ponting (263 runs at 65.75 in the Indian series) and wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin (33 runs at 11.00) that they were contemplating retirement.

Hussey says the appointment of former South Africa mentor Mickey Arthur in November has rejuvenated the Australians.

Hussey said taking a 3-0 lead over India meant a huge difference in the morale within the change rooms after last summer's 3-1 Ashes defeat.

"For a while there everyone did get a little bit insular. It was a bit quieter, probably a bit more intense," Hussey said.

"Now the new coach has stepped in, the new selectors have stepped in, the communication has been really good.

"Everyone knows where they stand, they know what their roles are and they know where they want to take the team in the future.

"That gives everyone a lot of heart and a lot of confidence. You can relax again and be yourself and you can really see the characters coming out in all the team."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted January 22, 2012 13:53:39

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Hussey wary of wounded Indians

Updated January 10, 2012 07:19:34

Mike Hussey says his Australia team-mates are not thinking about securing a 4-0 series whitewash of India just yet, despite dominating the first two Tests.

Although the Indians were humiliated by an innings and 68 runs at the SCG last week, Hussey is predicting a far more determined effort from the tourists in the third Test starting Friday at the WACA Ground.

"It's going to be a tough Test match," Hussey said.

"India have got some great players, with a lot of experience and a lot of pride.

"I'm expecting them to bounce back quite hard in this Test match.

"We haven't spoken about (a 4-0 series win) at all.

"In Sydney we just tried to enjoy that amazing Test match ... and then basically close the door on that one and start afresh.

"We start nil-all again here in Perth.

"We're playing a good brand of cricket at the moment. We've just got to keep improving a little bit from every game."

Hussey, fresh from his unbeaten 150 in Sydney, is looking forward to batting at his home ground where curator Cameron Sutherland expects a fast and bouncy pitch.

"I love the Perth Test match. The crowd here give unbelievable support," Hussey said.

"The roar you get as a local player when you come out to bat or take a catch is 10 times louder than any other player.

"I know the conditions extremely well as well, so that's an advantage over other players from around the country and around the world.

"It is a great place to play cricket. Once you get in on this pitch, it's fantastic for batting."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted January 10, 2012 07:17:10

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Hussey feels SCG could suit spin

Updated January 01, 2012 12:28:48

Australian batsman Mike Hussey believes this year's SCG Test pitch could see a return to the drier, more spin-friendly wickets of the past.

Captain Michael Clarke was pondering omitting spinner Nathan Lyon in favour of a four-man pace battery featuring the returning Ryan Harris on what was anticipated to be a seaming deck.

But after having a first look at the pitch ahead of Tuesday's start, Hussey seemed to suggest sticking with Lyon might be the best option.

"Just from walking across the ground it looks a lot less green than it has been the last few years," Hussey said ahead of the 100th Test to be played at the ground.

"Certainly in the last few years I think the Sydney pitch has changed texture from when it used to be a real dustbowl and helped the spinners.

"The last few years have been really seamer friendly and there's been overhead conditions to help that as well ... [it's been] particularly tough for batting, especially early in the match.

"(Now) it looks definitely a lighter colour and generally that's the way it's gone over here, it has slowed down a little bit and helped the spinners as the game's gone on."

Curator Tom Parker said he is focused on preparing a pitch that is fair, rather than one that assists Australia's rampant pace attack.

"I think it will be somewhat similar to the Ashes pitch we had last season," he said.

Slow bowlers captured just three out of 30 wickets in last summer's Ashes Test at the SCG and have taken only 12 of 57 Shield wickets there this season.

Parker acknowledged the SCG wickets have been just as likely to help the quicks as the spinners.

"It depends on the conditions of the day," he said.

"If you get overcast conditions, the ball does swing around, move around through in the air a bit.

"But as the game goes on, the pitch here at the SCG, it always turns at some stage.

"I think the first couple of days of the Test it's clear and then from day three there's supposed to be some showers coming, but at this stage we're looking at a nice clear run."

Coach Mickey Arthur suggested yesterday it would be unlikely that Australia would go in with four pacemen.

"I'm pretty loath to go into any Test match without a spinner," Arthur said.

"Obviously conditions will determine that but the SCG has normally got a history of favouring spin down the line."

He said he had seen enough of India's batting order in Melbourne to formulate new plans of attack for Sydney.

"I do think we've got a lot of information out of the Melbourne Test match that we can use in the series in terms of batting strengths, where we need to be," Arthur said.

"So we'll alter our game plans slightly to four of their top six.

"Pressure is the name of the game in Test cricket.

"If we can dry the Indian batters up for long periods of time like we did at times in Melbourne, we showed that they all had chinks in their armour."

The SCG has invariably produced a result wicket in recent Tests, with only one of the last 18 there finishing in a draw.

The last eight all produced a winner, with the last draw coming in 2004 against India, which amassed 7 for 705 declared in its first innings thanks to Sachin Tendulkar's unbeaten 241 and VVS Laxman's 178.

Both teams trained at the SCG this morning and will be guests of Prime Minister Julia Gillard this afternoon for an afternoon tea function at Kirribilli House.

AAP/ABC

Tags: sport, cricket, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted January 01, 2012 12:05:07

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I just need a bit of luck: Hussey

Updated December 23, 2011 21:27:18

Veteran batsman Mike Hussey has denied he is stuck in a form slump heading into the Boxing Day Test against India at the MCG.

Hussey excelled in September's three-Test series against Sri Lanka - amassing a prolific 463 runs at an average of 92.60 - before striking a lean patch away to South Africa and at home against New Zealand.

However, the left-hander said he was confident he would be in top form to face world number two India next week and was working hard to ensure he made it through the tricky early part of his innings.

"I feel like I'm in a good place mentally," said Hussey, who has made just 83 runs in his last seven Test innings.

"I feel like I'm batting well in the nets.

"It just goes with batting. You just sometimes need a little bit of luck early in your innings and you can go on and get a big score.

Hussey described his modest figures leading up to the Indian series as "just the way the game goes".

"We had some tough conditions to bat in in South Africa so you needed a little bit of luck to get through there," he said.

"Certainly the first couple of pitches here in Australia have been hard work for the batters as well and I haven't been able to get through that initial period."

But he said he had been concentrating on ensuring he could settle in properly when at the crease.

"That's definitely been the focus for me, to definitely work hard early in my innings and in my training - about being really tight and tough early in my net sessions.

"If you can just get through that initial period then it does get a lot easier after that," Hussey said.

Hussey also said that fellow veteran and former skipper Ricky Ponting deserved to be part of the 13-man squad despite accusations he is past his best.

"His (Ponting's) attitude around the team has been fantastic," Hussey said.

"He got a couple of really good starts in the last series and I'm sure there are a few big scores just around the corner."

Hussey said the Indians would provide very stiff opposition despite failing to win a Test series in Australia in nine attempts over 64 years.

"I think they've got a very experienced batting order. Most of their players have played here in Australia before," he said.

"They're all class players and we're going to have to bowl extremely well to get on top of them and keep them under pressure for long periods."

In Friday morning's practice session, fast bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Starc did their best to impress the selectors before the final XI is announced.

"I'm not sure which way the selectors are going to go but I faced both those guys this morning and I thought they both bowled really well," Hussey said.

"I know (captain) Michael Clarke was watching the nets very closely today as well, so there's plenty of motivation for all the guys, whether you're a batsman or a bowler."

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted December 23, 2011 18:53:31

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Hussey unfazed by external opinions

Updated December 20, 2011 06:56:09

Veteran batsman Mike Hussey insists he remains confident of turning his form around after shutting himself away from criticism following the Test defeat in Hobart.

Hussey, who just three months ago cracked 463 runs at an average of 92.6 against Sri Lanka, is now battling to hold his Test spot after posting just 83 runs at 11.86 in recent series against South Africa and New Zealand.

The 36-year-old's lean trot continued on Sunday night when he made a duck in Perth Scorchers' 31-run Twenty20 loss to Hobart Hurricanes.

But Hussey believed his lack of recent runs was more a case of bad luck rather than bad form and hopes to prove the doubters wrong in the series against India.

"I haven't really taken much notice of the external stuff at all to be honest," he said.

"I haven't really read a newspaper, haven't really turned the TV on since we lost the Test match down in Hobart.

"I pretty much just tried to get away from it for a week, or for a few days anyway.

"I still feel like I'm in a good frame of mind. I still feel like I'm hitting the ball well in the nets.

"But that's the way batting goes. You're going to get times when things go well for you and you've got to cash in, like what I was able to do over in Sri Lanka.

"And then there's going to be times when things don't quite go your way and unfortunately the last few innings that's what it's been like for me."

Hussey said fellow batsman Shaun Marsh, who injured his back last month, would take part in this week's three-day batting camp in Melbourne in a bid to prove his fitness for the Boxing Day Test.

Meanwhile, Tasmanian paceman Ben Hilfenhaus has not given up hope of returning to the Test arena despite the emergence of future stars James Pattinson and Pat Cummins.

Hilfenhaus, who snared 2 for 10 off four overs in the Hurricanes' Twenty20 win, has not played a Test since featuring in Australia's losing Ashes cause in January.

But after working on several technical issues over the winter and building up his fitness, the 28-year-old has returned to form with 20 Sheffield Shield wickets at 28.6 this season.

"Last year I had a problem with the tendonitis in my leg and it sort of changed my action a bit," Hilfenhaus said.

"It made me bowl around myself so the ball was swinging early.

"Batters find it a lot easier to play if the ball swings out of the hand rather than swinging late, so we identified that and worked on those things.

"I've just got to do the best I can and hopefully that's enough at some stage to get recognised at the higher level again."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 20, 2011 06:56:09

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Ponting and Hussey in for Boxing Day

Updated December 13, 2011 23:40:11

Australian coach Mickey Arthur has backed struggling senior batsmen Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey to retain their team places for the Boxing Day Test against India in Melbourne.

Arthur said there were no plans to manage the Test exits of former skipper Ponting and Hussey after they both struggled for runs in Australia's humiliating seven-run loss to New Zealand in Hobart.

Ponting, whose 158 Tests have seen him become the third greatest Test runscorer, and Hussey are fighting for their spots, but Arthur said their experience was vital in the transitional Australian team.

"We are certainly not managing yet how they go out of the side and in my opinion they've still got big roles to play because we do need some experience within our middle order and they bring that experience that we need," he said.

"We haven't even come to any thought on how we manage any exit of any of those players. The key for us is to get them up firing for Australia come Boxing Day because they are key."

Grandstand's Jim Maxwell has joined calls for Ponting's head but Arthur backed Ponting, who turns 37 next week, to play in the showpiece Boxing Day Test against the second-ranked Indians.

"I think he should (play on Boxing Day)," he said.

"I've already had a chat with (selector) Rod Marsh and (captain) Michael Clarke and we're trying to give ourselves a bit of direction to Boxing Day.

"I think Ricky still fits firmly in that picture at the moment."

But the picture does not look bright for under-fire opening batsman Phillip Hughes, who dismissed behind the wicket by Kiwi seamer Chris Martin on every occasion during the series.

Clarke said that Hughes may have to return to state cricket to rediscover his touch after his latest failures and Arthur was unsure whether Hughes would remain in the Australian side for Boxing Day.

"By his own admission there is a bit of technical work that he needs to do but again a very good young cricketer," Arthur said.

"Whether that's enough for him to play on Boxing Day I'm not sure. That will be a discussion we will have in a couple of days' time."

Shaun Marsh is almost certain to be unavailable, but Arthur said injured all-rounder Shane Watson, who missed both Tests against New Zealand, would be assessed well before the MCG Test to "determine the balance of the team".

"We've got to come to a point now where we make a decision on where Shane's going to bat in the order and how many overs we expect from him so there can be no more debate around the issue," he said.

"We need to give him a clear role definition before the Boxing Day Test."

Watson (hamstring) will be summoned to Melbourne in the coming days to assess his fitness.

His likely return, the consideration of in-form Tasmanian opener Ed Cowan's credentials and Ponting and Hussey's retention may spell trouble for Usman Khawaja, who has notched just one half-century in six Tests, averaging 29.22.

"It's a bit early to speculate on a top seven," Arthur said.

Veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was another feeling the heat after Australia's first Test loss to New Zealand since 1993.

Condemned for his rash dismissals in the Cape Town debacle against South Africa, Haddin was at it again in Hobart with two reckless shots in Australia's time of need.

A fit Tim Paine (finger) would apply enormous pressure on the 34-year-old.

But in the meantime it seems Australia is content to "take the good with the bad" with Haddin.

"I think in between that (Cape Town and Hobart) there was a match-winning innings in Johannesburg - you do take the good with the bad," Arthur said.

"I still think he is a hell of a player with a huge amount to offer."

But Arthur added: "One of the key words I used was resilient (after the Hobart defeat).

"I was a little bit disappointed how we folded."

Arthur said Australia's batsmen would be working hard to improve their techniques against the swinging ball after the defeat to New Zealand.

"The swinging ball again was something that exposed us a little bit and that's going to be top of the agenda to work on before the Boxing Day Test," he said.

"I think if we can get a couple of extra days into our batters, just sharpen them up and their techniques, I think that will be invaluable ahead of what is a massive series for Australia."

Fast bowler Ryan Harris (hip) is also expected to be fit for Boxing Day.

AFP/AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted December 13, 2011 18:28:17

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Hussey helps Chennai to IPL title

Published:Sunday, May 29, 2011 8:31 AEST

Chennai Super Kings batsman Michael Hussey plays a shot during the IPL Twenty20 cricket final against Royal Challengers Bangalore at The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 28, 2011.

Tags: sport, cricket, australia, india

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Hussey stars as Chennai wins IPL

Updated May 29, 2011 08:16:00

The clinical Chennai Super Kings clinched their second Indian Premier League title in a row with a 58-run thrashing of Royal Challengers Bangalore in a lop-sided final.

Opener Murali Vijay cracked 95 runs off just 52 balls to help the defending champions pile up 5 for 205 before Ravichandran Ashwin removed Bangalore's openers early, ensuring a fine win for the hosts at a packed Chidambaram Stadium.

League-topper Bangalore, which was seeking its maiden IPL title, folded up at 8 for 147 off 20 overs.

It was Chennai's eighth win on the trot at home this season, underlining its dominance in home conditions.

The home team owed its win to Vijay whose record 159-run stand for the first wicket with Australian Michael Hussey (63) set the platform for a winning total after captain MS Dhoni elected to bat first.

Their stand surpassed the 155-run partnership between Adam Gilchrist and Venkatsai Laxman against Mumbai in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008.

"I was concentrating on just converting my start today, as it hasn't always happened this season," said Vijay, named man of the match.

"This (Chennai) is a special unit to be part of and to retain the title feels really great."

Bangalore's chase was derailed early with off-spinner Ashwin (3 for 16) getting rid of the dangerous Chris Gayle for a duck in the very first over.

Gayle, who still finished as the highest run-getter with 608 runs from 12 innings, offered an outside edge which was snapped up by Dhoni behind the wickets.

Gayle's dismissal triggered a collapse with Bangalore losing their next six wickets inside 11 overs to be reduced to 6 for 70, a situation from which they could never really recover.

Saurabh Tiwary offered some resistance with an unbeaten 42 but the other Bangalore batsmen simply caved in under pressure.

"It would have been a much better game if we could have put up a bowling performance like on Friday (against Mumbai) but it was not to be," Bangalore captain Daniel Vettori said.

"I think 160-170 would have been chaseable but their openers took the game away from us."

Vijay, pointed out as the weak link in the Chennai line-up after an indifferent run with the bat in the tournament, decided to make amends at the big stage, unleashing six sixes and four fours in his blazing knock.

Hussey also impressed, hitting three sixes and as many boundaries in his 45-ball innings before holing out to Abhimanyu Mithun near the boundary ropes off left-arm spinner Syed Mohammad.

Vijay, who seemed to struggle in hot and humid conditions during the later part of his innings, missed out on a well-deserved century when he offered a simple catch to Vettori off paceman Sreenath Aravind.

Aravind struck again off the very next ball to remove Dhoni, caught off a full toss by Virat Kohli after making 22 which included two sixes in one over by Gayle.

Gayle also picked up two wickets in two balls, sending back Albie Morkel and Suresh Raina in the 20th over with his wily off-breaks.

- AFP

Tags: sport, cricket, india

First posted May 29, 2011 07:30:00

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Hussey works it to the off-side

 Published:Tuesday, April 26, 2011 12:48 AEST

Mike Hussey plays a shot during the IPL Twenty20 match between Chennai Super Kings and Pune Warriors at The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on April 25, 2011.

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Hussey stars in Chennai victory

Posted April 26, 2011 06:02:00

Michael Hussey hit a half-century and Albie Morkel bagged three wickets to help Chennai Super Kings post a 25-run win over Pune Warriors in their Indian Premier League match.

Australian Hussey made a 48-ball 61 and South African paceman Morkel took 3 for 29 as Chennai bowled and fielded impressively to restrict Pune to 9 for 117 after scoring 6 for 142 for its third win in six matches of the Twenty20 tournament.

Pune could never recover after being reduced to 4 for 40 in the opening six overs, with off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and Morkel taking two wickets apiece.

Australian paceman Doug Bollinger finished with 2 for 20.

Skipper Yuvraj Singh top-scored with 34 for Pune, who suffered their third defeat in five matches.

His 43-ball knock ended when Shadab Jakati held a superb diving catch in the covers off Morkel in the penultimate over.

Mithun Manhas was the other main scorer for Pune with 20.

Hussey earlier hit one six and six fours in his half-century to help Chennai reach a competitive total despite impressive bowling efforts from Pune pacemen Jerome Taylor (3 for 30) and Alfonso Thomas (2 for 29).

Put in to bat, Chennai made a solid start when Murali Vijay (31) and Hussey put on 64 for the opening wicket before Pune struck back with two quick wickets.

South African Thomas had Vijay caught by New Zealander Nathan McCullum at mid-wicket and then bowled Suresh Raina for two runs in the same over.

Hussey steadied the innings with a 52-run stand for the third wicket with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (26) before West Indies paceman Taylor, playing his first IPL match, took three of the last four wickets.

Taylor struck in his third over when he removed Hussey, who fell to a well-judged catch at long-on boundary by Manish Pandey, before dismissing Morkel in the same over.

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Hussey hits century for clean sweep

Published:Thursday, April 14, 2011 9:09 AESTExpires:Wednesday, July 13, 2011 9:09 AEST

A century from batsman Michael Hussey has helped Australia take a 3-0 win over Bangladesh in the one-day series.

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Hussey scores ton against Bangladesh

Published: 14/04/2011 06:07:32

Australia's Michael Hussey celebrates after bringing up his century in the one-day international against Bangladesh at in Dhaka on April 13, 2011.

Australia's Michael Hussey celebrates after bringing up his century in the one-day international against Bangladesh at in Dhaka on April 13, 2011

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