A vital cog in Aussie wheel

Im still learning and getting better, says Michael Hussey about shorter format

 Seldom a cricketer has been nicknamed more appropriately than Michael Hussey. The tag of Mr Cricket sits comfortably on the veteran left-hander who has been an integral part of the Australian set-up in all three formats of the game.

While the trend around the world has been to give up one format or the other to prolong one’s career, Hussey, at 37, appears indispensable in each version. It’s a tribute to his mental and physical fitness because while a younger player like Michael Clarke is seemingly at peace with himself concentrating on longer formats, Hussey seems to have no plans of cutting down on his international assignments. In a format that is designed for youngsters, Hussey has more than managed to hold his own as he has in both Tests and one-dayers where he averages just over 50 and 48 respectively.

With a lucrative IPL contract in his hands, it would have been tempting for any player of his age to give up playing for his country in the ultra-abridged version of the game, but Hussey doesn’t seem to go away any sooner. Having waited for over a decade to break into the national squad, the southpaw, perhaps, values the national cap more than anyone else. The decline of Ricky Ponting and the exit of Clarke, may have strengthened Hussey’s case in an Australian batting line-up devoid of experience but there is no denying the fact that the Western Australian has remained relevant producing innings of substance time and again.

“It’s great fun,” said Hussey when asked how has he managed to cope with the demands of T20. “It is about challenging yourself with new skills and by being innovative and doing it under pressure. I really enjoy that. It is still a relatively new game world-wide and I am still learning and getting better. So it’s about developing your game and showing those skills under enormous pressure. It is really enjoyable,” he elaborated.

One enduring memory of Michael Hussey in Twenty20 cricket has been his  stunning assault on Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal in the semifinal of the last World T20 that helped Australia snatch victory from a point of no return. Walking in at number seven with Australia needing 87 from 45 balls in a massive chase of 192, the southpaw played freak of an innings that left Shahid Afridi’s men in total disbelief.

The Aussie veteran slammed a 24-ball unbeaten 60 (3x4, 6x6), reserving his best for the last. With 18 needed off the final over by Ajmal, Mitchell Johnson did just fine to take a single off the first ball to bring Hussey on strike. The CSK batsman then clobbered the off-spinner for 6, 6, 4 and 6 to power Australia into their maiden final.
“Not really,” Hussey replied when asked if that knock gives the confidence to deal with spin here. “But I do remember it -- great day -- but that’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity really. I don’t think there is any parallel with that sort and situation. I am batting in a different position in the order as well.

If the opportunity presents itself I would love to replicate that though I am not sure about the outcome,” remarked Hussey who bats at number three now.

If the match against the West Indies is anything to go by, where he hammered a 19-ball unbeaten 28 to ensure an Australian win in a rain-curtailed match in Group ‘B’, there is little to suggest that he can’t do an encore.