By Alec Swann
July 3rd 2009 @ 12:42am
Why Hussey has been a victim of his own success
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.
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(8)
Brett McKay said | July 3rd 2009 @ 8:44am | Report comment
all pretty solid points Alec, and I for one (among plenty, I’m sure) am very glad to see Mike Hussey in the runs again. I think everyone , including himself, knew that a Test average in 70s was never going to be sustainable, and that an inevitable form slump would pop up. Similarly, it seemed that all the work he was clearly doing to bat himself into form was actually having the opposite effect. It seems logical that someone who “knows his game so well” could also be guilty of over-analysing problems, perceived or otherwise. Hopefully this knock will unearth the lost inner “Huss”.
Fingers crossed for Marcus North in the second dig too; he’s really the only bat not to have made some kind of score since they landed…
Brian said | July 3rd 2009 @ 9:46am | Report comment
Is there a consensus on the team for next week yet? Katich, Hughes, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke, North, Haddin, Johnson, Lee, Hauritz, Siddle. If Hauritz plays who out of Lee, Clark, McDonald & Hilfy is getting the last spot.
Brett McKay said | July 3rd 2009 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Brian, Lee’s probably secured his spot with 5fa overnight, so I’d reckon Clark and Hauritz are fighting it out for the last spot. Hilfenhaus isn’t playing this game, and looks to be outside the XI..
FIsher Price said | July 3rd 2009 @ 11:27am | Report comment
Lee’s inclusion will be good news for England.
vinay verma said | July 3rd 2009 @ 11:40am | Report comment
Alec- this series is going to be a Test of character for any number of players.
Will Philip Hughes confirm his arrival as a batsman of the highest pedigree?
Will Kevin Pietersen harness his undoubted talent and translate this into genius?
Is Jimmy Anderson ready to become the King of Swing?
Will strauss be able to control the egos of Flintoff and KP?
Is Ponting a good Captain?
So many imponderables. The debate is endless. But when that first ball is bowled it will set in motion events that will have far reaching implicatins for careers and thwe direction of Test Cricket.
What does Cardiff have in store for the greater game?
Brian said | July 3rd 2009 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
Vinay
With the exception of possibly the first one I can already tell you the answers – No. The last one I am very sure of.
FIsher Price said | July 3rd 2009 @ 3:57pm | Report comment
Indeed. Ponting is a dreadful skipper.
Joel said | September 9th 2009 @ 3:31pm | Report comment
I disagree here, he’s not a victim of his own success, he is a player who played incredibly well for a long time, and now is playing incredibly poorly. Two tons from his last 22 tests is not enough. Give him two tests against the Windies, if he does not succeed, it’s time to move on.