The rise of Mr Cricket

Mike Hussey has exerted his brilliance on both forms of international Cricket and does not look like budging anytime soon, as Justine McCullagh-Beasy reports.

It took West Australian batsman Michael Hussey 15,953 runs, including 68 fifties and 42 domestic tons, to catch the eye of the Australian selectors.

Now, with six outstanding International Test matches and 27 One-day clashes under his belt, Australia’s newest saviour has cemented his spot in the world’s most dominant team and doesn’t look like budging anytime soon.

Hussey’s big break came in a one-day match against India in February 2004. In front of his home crowd Hussey made 17 not out off 23 balls. Mr Cricket, as he is known for being a consummate professional, has since gone on to exert his brilliance in the one-day arena.

With a strike rate of 94.48 and a Bradman-like average of 107.71, Hussey’s composure and vast range of shots allows him to come in at number seven and belt fours or resurrect a dwindling Australian innings. On more than one occasion Hussey, along with Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds, has scored the winning runs in emphatic fashion for the Australians.

So highly respected is the 30-year-old left arm batsman that he was recently allocated Vice-captain of the one-day squad, whilst Adam Gilchrist took over the reigns in the absence of Ricky Ponting. Hussey has scored six one-day half-centuries, but has yet to notch up a ton. To date, his highest total is 88.

Active in the field, Hussey has already taken two superb catches this summer. One coming in the Twenty20 International against South Africa in front of a sweltering Gabba crowd and the other during the current VB Series where he flew, arms stretched out, with the flight of the ball to secure a wicket for the Aussies.

After quickly establishing himself in the shorter form of the game, Hussey was finally presented with the baggy green for the Frank Worrell trophy against the West Indies. It was far from smooth sailing for Hussey who was gone for one in his first innings.

Twenty-nine in the second innings showed signs of the nerves settling but it was his first ton in Hobart, where he blasted 137, that has put him in good stead for the rest of his career, In his six Test matches so far Hussey has etched in three centuries and a fifty.

Whilst his average (80.00) and strike rate (51.99) are down on his exceptional one-day record, it is his ability to sustain pressure and exert his presence that enables him to be so successful.

Hussey underlined his patience, after 13 years of State and County Cricket he’d endured plenty of it, producing a stunning Test hundred in an eleventh wicket partnership with veteran Glenn McGrath in the second Test against the Proteas.

With a dramatic collapse of the lower order, Hussey was left with McGrath to help build a lead after skipper Ricky Ponting’s ton. The outstanding display of maturity and genius shown by Hussey earnt him ‘Man of the Match’ honours.

Considered one of Australia’s key players, Hussey will be looking forward to representing his country in the World Cup next year. He has plenty of matches before then to build up his preparation with exciting innings, stellar catches and leadership roles.

One thing is for sure, Hussey is a perfect example in backing up the saying: “Good things come to those who wait.”

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