Mike Hussey to retire at end of summer.

[chaminda_00]

Originally Posted by NUFAN

My bad, thought he just bowled a bit of spin.

Yeah Hughes could potentially make six his own, but there really isn't any good reason to drop him further down the order just to bring a top order bat - Usman will just have to learn how to rotate the strike a bit more if he is the chosen one or someone else will be given the opportunity.

Wasn't that basically the same reason why Watson was moved from opener, to 3, then 4. To bring in another top order batsmen.

Though if Bailey scores one century in the back end of season in ODIs or Shield cricket you would think he would be a walk up start. The only problem is that he might not play another Shield match and will need to get picked on ODI performances.

EDIT: Just had a look at fixtures there is 4 days break between the Tests and ODIs between Sri Lanka, then 9 days to the tour of India. I don't think there is even a tour game before the first Test. Massive negative for someone likes Bailey and Hussey to have no FC crickets to push his case

[Marcuss]

Obviously poor timing from an Australian pov but you can't fault his reasoning. Fair play to him.
After all the doubts there were about him going into the 10/11 Ashes, this is a much more deserved exit than the one that might have been.
Possibly the best cross-format (inc T20) batsman ever?

[Son Of Coco]

Didn't see this coming either...

Well played Huss. Top bloke and fantastic bat over his career. Is also my wife's favourite player, and given she's Korean and knows nothing about cricket it says volumes about the man's appeal. .

[uvelocity]

Originally Posted by Marcuss

Obviously poor timing from an Australian pov but you can't fault his reasoning. Fair play to him.
After all the doubts there were about him going into the 10/11 Ashes, this is a much more deserved exit than the one that might have been.
Possibly the best cross-format (inc T20) batsman ever?

If we are talking who to replace I'm certainly not sold on ussie at 6. Ussie 3 Clarke to 4 and watto 6. Else pick some young prodigy at six and hope for the best

[say2chintu]

Originally Posted by robelinda

dear god, kill me. we are doomed beyond doomed in India and England now.

Missing Hussey in England? What a joke !

No disrespect to Hussey as he has been a superb overall cricketer, but he averages 31 in England, 32 in South Africa, 31 in New Zealand, 29 in West Indies. Aus would never miss him as a batsman in these countries I guess. Infact outside Australia he averages 35+ in only 3 countries....Bangaldesh, India and Sri Lanka.

IMO he was a modern great batsman(finisher) in ODIs for sure despite his awful record in ODI World Cups (avg of 19 !!!!)) and a good batsman in test cricket (not quite an ATG but still..)

A thorough professional, down to earth guy, likable !! Loved watching his enthusiasm for cricket.

[uvelocity]

someone kill that last poster

[chaminda_00]

Well lets look at the options for Australia for Mike Hussey replacements.

Usman Khawaja (this season: 438 @ 39; career 4045 @ 43)

Solid player but has been found out in his short Test career due his inability to rotate the strike and issues with the swing new ball outside off stump. Has improved some of technique issues in the last two seasons in England and Australia. Though he has been that dominate at domestic level as he was when he first came on the scene. Improved his fielding, but would be liability at 3rd slip. Can bowl some medium pace but it pretty random crap. Will probably get first shot due to ODI players having no FC matches to push for selection.

George Bailey (this season: 169 @ 28, career: 5586 @ 39)

Would be like for like replacement for Hussey. Lower middle order batsmen, captaincy ability and decent gully fielder. Only problem is his lack of runs this season and generally inconsistency throughout his career. He hasn't looked out of place at International level in ODIs and T20Is. For mine needs more runs at FC level, but he may not play another FC game this season.

Callum Ferguson (this season: 463 @ 42, career: 4295 @ 36)

An outside change, but always 'looked' like a Test standard batsmen when he gets going. A good start to the career. If he continue to have a big season, he could be seen as a project player at 6. I don't think he has the application to be Test cricketer, when he gets tough Callum goes missing.

Alex Doolan (this season: 409 @ 58, career: 2311 @ 39)

Having a break out season. But reckon the last thing Australia needs is a flash in pan type player. They would be looking for someone who they can develop into a 5-10 year Test career. Though if keeps scoring runs then the home Ashes series is not out of sight.

Mark Cosgrove (this season: 373 @ 37, career: 7975 @ 43)

The fat bastard has the best technique of the batsmen in contention. But I can't see the selectors getting past his weight. Though he is decent seam bowler and handy slip fielder (well when the ball goes straight to him and he doesn't have to dive).

Joe Burns (this season: 305 @ 30, career: 1480 @ 42)

He done some work on his game to improve his short form game. But I think it has made him go backwards in FC cricket. Having a poor season at FC level. Solid batsmen, but he needs a couple more season of work on his game.

Steve Smith (this season: 224 @ 32, career: 2391 @ 41)

Disgusting technique, but finds a way to score runs. Having an average season, so far, but it might be a blessing in disguise. As he likely to miss ODI selection and can push for selection playing FC cricket. Still viewed as all rounder in the selectors eye (even though he doesn't bowl anymore) and good fielder. So he meets the needs of being a multi dimension cricket. Will be smokey for India as spin bowling all rounder, even if he doesn't ball another ball for NSW this season.

Glen Maxwell (this season 90 @ 22, career: 924 @ 42)

Like a lot of young batsmen has a good technique, but a poor temperament due to influx of limited over cricket. If he can work on his temperament I don't think he would far from selection a lower middle order batsmen that can bowl. The new number 6 for Australia? Having a poor season after getting his first chance up the order for Victoria, is not a good sign. He will go down the same path as White and Smith and will have focus more on his batting to get a regular spot in National teams. But unlike though two doesn't try too many things with the ball, so it won't affect his bowling as much.

There is also some outside chances like Dave Hussey, Chris Rogers, Rob Quiney, Brad Haddin, Cameron White and Micheal Klinger. But I reckon the selectors will be looking for a player that is younger or a specialist lower middle order batsmen.

It is also interesting that an average above 40 is par for International selection. I remember when you had to average above 50 to get a look in to Australian team. The pitches are partly to play, but I think it more of an overall sign of the drop in batting standards.

[GingerFurball]

Quite the shock really given that his position was one of only two in the top 6 that are really locked down for the Ashes.

[Crazy Sam]

George Bailey (this season: 169 @ 28, career: 5586 @ 39)

Would be like for like replacement for Hussey.

Not even close.

[chaminda_00]

Originally Posted by Crazy Sam

Not even close.

Type of player, not quality of player.

[Howe_zat]

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

Quite the shock really given that his position was one of only two in the top 6 that are really locked down for the Ashes.

Warner's pretty much set in stone, as far as I can tell.

[GingerFurball]

Originally Posted by Howe_zat

Warner's pretty much set in stone, as far as I can tell.

He's probably the closest to nailed on but his place is hardly set in stone IMO.

[Howe_zat]

If he fails hard in India then people will talk about it, but he won't be dropped, because 3 other openers are already in the team, the next most likely option is being talked about as playing #6, and he's there being the only good one.

And he won't fail hard in India because he's a good batsman who'll be playing India in the worst mess they've been in for 30 years

[benchmark00]

Very poor timing, but it's his career I guess.

Certainly less than ideal for the team though. I suppose he doesn't owe them anything but it would have been nice if he gave an inclination.

[BoyBrumby]

You'd imagine Invers et al tried to at least get him to think about it (second batsman on the team sheet and all), so my guess is he's pretty resolute.

I've never been entirely sold on the idea some sportsmen have said that "When you know, you know", but in Huss's case it would really appear to be the case as there's no doubt in my mind he has more to offer.

Should also be noted for the benefit of those quoting his duff record in tests in England (I'd guess he's way over 50 in FC cricket) that his last test innings in Blighty was a ton after a series in which he could barely buy a run & there were shouts (on CW and elsewhere) for him to be dropped.

Shows moral fibre, that.