Why Hussey has been a victim of his own success

 
Alec Swann Roar Pro

By , 3 Jul 2009 Alec Swann is a Roar Pro

Tagged:
 , , ,

8 Have your say

Related coverage



Australian batsman Michael Hussey plays a cut shot on his way to scoring 101 not out. AAP Image/Julian Smith

Australian batsman Michael Hussey plays a cut shot on his way to scoring 101 not out. AAP Image/Julian Smith

Mike Hussey’s return to form in the tourists’ clash with England’s second string should silence the critics who were beginning to doubt him. One of the more surprising elements of the Ashes build-up has been, from both sides, the criticism levelled at Hussey.

Following a stellar start to his international career, Hussey’s descent to normality has been greeted with calls for his demise – a viewpoint that is difficult to understand.

To be averaging 50 plus after 37 Tests is a good effort by anyone’s standards and should give him a bit of room to work with.

His 150 at Worcester, while far from guaranteeing a place that was already his, was a good indication that Hussey’s game is back in working order, a fact that should give England cause for concern.

In fact, Hussey has been a victim of his own success.

To be averaging in the 70s and 80s for so long burdened him with unrealistic expectations that, in all truth, were never going to be met.

That he is now alongside the best in the game is hardly a fall from grace and should add a touch of reality to proceedings.

Only one man has maintained a stratospheric average throughout his career and only one man ever will.

The one area of concern Australia should have is at number six.

Marcus North looks badly out of touch, Shane Watson’s fitness is again a worry and Andrew McDonald isn’t a Test match top order batsman. North looks favourite to start in Cardiff given that he has played in both the warm-up games, but Watson will have designs on his position if he can get on the field.

The lack of a reserve batsman looks to be a glaring oversight and England will have noted that, although they bat a long way down, Australia have a weak midriff that could be exploited.

That said, Ricky Ponting would probably say the same about the hosts.

Of their batsmen, only Alastair Cook and to a lesser extent Kevin Pietersen are in top form.

A combination of the Twenty20 dominated schedule and a lack of first-class match practise could conspire to leave England undercooked going into the first Test next week.

If things don’t go to plan for either side, the old excuse of a lack of preparation will be trundled out but that is just the way of the cricketing world these days.

And like it or not, that isn’t going to change.

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.

Get a daily cricket email

Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it.

We value privacy. More.