Let's say you were Mike Hussey .......

[Richard]

I'm sure he is. But the question asked what I would do if I had played 40+ Tests and had an avergae of 65+ and knew I was in a decline and that I couldn't keep those stats.

If I didn't need the money, I'd go to FC cricket or find another hobby.

It depends how far said decline is, TBH. If you're averaging 45, keep going. If you're averaging 33, pack it in.

 

[Jono]

I just gave an honest opinion. If I knew I was on the downside and didn't need the money, I'd retire. No reason to suffer meaningless comparisons and the media's crazy attacks. Better to be remembered for an amazing record.

If I enjoyed playing the game still, I'd keep playing First Class cricket. That way you can focus on your own enjoyment without having to worry about making an impression on selectors or playing for a spot, or worrying about what some moron is going to write in the morning's paper, or a fan burning down your house or whatever.

Obviously, this is assuming I was financially secure. If I wasn't, that would certainly change my decision.

See this is I guess where you fail to understand the value of playing for one's country, or even playing test cricket at the highest level.

Who gives a crap about the media and stuff. If you're strong enough to ignore that, then surely you'd keep going. Enjoy

a) being part of a great team
b) friendship within the team
c) representing your country
d) playing in front of the crowds all over the world
e) playing at the highest level, which you waited over a decade to finally get to

etc etc

There's more to cricket, and to life than a simple statistical average.

 

[Fiery]

It depends how far said decline is, TBH. If you're averaging 45, keep going. If you're averaging 33, pack it in.

Which would require 31 ducks in a row as he stands

 

[Fiery]

See this is I guess where you fail to understand the value of playing for one's country, or even playing test cricket at the highest level.

Who gives a crap about the media and stuff. If you're strong enough to ignore that, then surely you'd keep going. Enjoy

a) being part of a great team
b) friendship within the team
c) representing your country
d) playing in front of the crowds all over the world
e) playing at the highest level, which you waited over a decade to finally get to

etc etc

There's more to cricket, and to life than a simple statistical average.

Hear hear

 

[pasag]

See this is I guess where you fail to understand the value of playing for one's country, or even playing test cricket at the highest level.

Who gives a crap about the media and stuff. If you're strong enough to ignore that, then surely you'd keep going. Enjoy

a) being part of a great team
b) friendship within the team
c) representing your country
d) playing in front of the crowds all over the world
e) playing at the highest level, which you waited over a decade to finally get to

etc etc

There's more to cricket, and to life than a simple statistical average.

As Fraz would say, Excellent!!!

 

[bond21]

thats why you dont play professional cricket.

I really dont think any players give a crap about their averages. If theyre having fun playing for australia, they will keep playing.

If they are having fun and not performing, they will keep playing.

If they are not having fun and performing, they will retire like Martyn did.

You would be a complete moron to retire if your average was declining. You would basically be a cowardly quitter.

 

[Athlai]

A lot of general comments stereotyping every cricket players views on the topic as being the same. IMO only an egomaniac would retire early to give themselves legendary status, is Michael Hussey Michael Hussey's biggest fan? Probably not.

 

[Ikki]

See this is I guess where you fail to understand the value of playing for one's country, or even playing test cricket at the highest level.

Who gives a crap about the media and stuff. If you're strong enough to ignore that, then surely you'd keep going. Enjoy

a) being part of a great team
b) friendship within the team
c) representing your country
d) playing in front of the crowds all over the world
e) playing at the highest level, which you waited over a decade to finally get to

etc etc

There's more to cricket, and to life than a simple statistical average.

Yep, put excellently. Cricketers love the sport and just playing it is enough reward, let alone getting records. I don't think Michael Hussey played FC cricket for so many years so he could break into the Test team, start well and retire early to keep a legacy.

 

[JBH001]

See this is I guess where you fail to understand the value of playing for one's country, or even playing test cricket at the highest level.

Who gives a crap about the media and stuff. If you're strong enough to ignore that, then surely you'd keep going. Enjoy

a) being part of a great team
b) friendship within the team
c) representing your country
d) playing in front of the crowds all over the world
e) playing at the highest level, which you waited over a decade to finally get to

etc etc

There's more to cricket, and to life than a simple statistical average.

Top post. Completely agree.

 

[howardj]

in two years, youve won a couple of Ashes (possibly), played 40 tests, average 65 with umpteen centuries after being "no chance"just a season or two before.

Would you:

a. continue in the full knowledge that you've passed your peak; or

b. retire as a guaranteed legend of the game who is discussed in the same terms as Pollock, Richards, Barrington, Sobers, etc?

Gotta say, as a confirmed capitalist, I'd be outta there like a scalded cat and trading off my name for evermore

Mate, we were discussing this exact same thing at work on Friday. We unanimously agreed on option b.

 

[bond21]

retiring when youve passed your peak is just weak.

Any batsman in the world would rather score more runs and have a lower average than score less runs in a shorter career with a huge average.

Maybe in england people are egomaniacs, but retiring from international cricket to maintain your average is just piss weak.

 

[pasag]

retiring when youve passed your peak is just weak.

Any batsman in the world would rather score more runs and have a lower average than score less runs in a shorter career with a huge average.

Maybe in england people are egomaniacs, but retiring from international cricket to maintain your average is just piss weak.

What does England have to do with anything?

Anyways, the thread starter isn't saying he'd quit to maintain his average for egotistical reasons, rather for monetary ones.

 

[social]

For all those, disagreeing with the concept, I hate to tell you but it has already been done (albeit for more honorable reasons than those proposed here)

http://content-gulf.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/4645.html

Keep in mind that Hussey will be 35 (late in life for a test cricketer in any event) at the time whilst Bob Cowper was just 27

Also worth noting that Mr Cowper is now a billionaire residing in Monaco

 

[Richard]

Who gives a crap about the media and stuff. If you're strong enough to ignore that, then surely you'd keep going.

He who is this is pretty well non-existent. Even the strongest of all personalities grow tired of sticking the fingers up eventually.

Sadly, the media dictate that many people are going to retire before they should. In doing this, they will plenty often enough damage their own teams' prospects.

 

[Richard]

Which would require 31 ducks in a row as he stands

I was meaning say he averaged 45 or 33 starting in October 2009. I don't give any real weight to overall career average.

 

[Richard]

retiring when youve passed your peak is just weak.

No it's not, it's a perfectly viable option which any cricketer is more than welcome to choose if they wish.

No-one is compelled to play any longer than they wish to. He who thinks less of someone for retiring when they wish to is in fact very "weak".

 

[social]

No it's not, it's a perfectly viable option which any cricketer is more than welcome to choose if they wish.

No-one is compelled to play any longer than they wish to. He who thinks less of someone for retiring when they wish to is in fact very "weak".

At last we agree

 

[pasag]

Also worth noting that Mr Cowper is now a billionaire residing in Monaco

Exaggerating?

 

[social]

Exaggerating?

Nope

 

[BoyBrumby]

Personally I'd be gone if I genuinely felt my powers waning, but Hussey is almost certainly made of sterner stuff and, given he was in his 30s on debut, I'd expect him to play for as long as he felt he could do a better job than the alternatives. Hell, even Boycott want on til his average dropped below 50 and if there was ever a bloke who did care about his stats, it was Sir Geoffrey.