Mike Hussey is quitting international cricket at the end of the summer and says the final straw was the realisation that a long Test tour of India no longer excited him.
The 37-year-old father-of-four is turning his back on next year’s Ashes tour and says next week’s third Test against Sri Lanka will be his final match in the baggy green.
He’ll play out the rest of the summer in national colours in one-dayers and Twenty20 clashes with Sri Lanka and West Indies before going back to state level with Western Australia.
Hussey made the shock announcement to Test captain Michael Clarke and national coach Mickey Arthur before they sprayed beer all over each other at the MCG on Friday night to celebrate taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series against Sri Lanka.
In 78 Tests, Hussey has scored 6183 runs – the 12th most by an Australian – at an average of 51.52.
The scorer of 19 Test hundreds spent his Saturday contacting Test teammates by phone to tell them of the news before publicly revealing his decision.
Hussey’s recent form has been excellent and he’s averaging 180.00 after two Tests in the current series against Sri Lanka.
Hussey says he felt at the start of this summer that closing time was rapidly approaching.
“I know I’m making the right decision,” Hussey told AAP.
“I’m quite lucky to go out on my terms. Not too many people get to do that.
“The clincher for me was when when I started looking ahead to the Indian and Ashes series – I didn’t have the excitement and buzz about facing the challenges of those two tours that I felt like I should have.
“So for me that meant that I was making the right decision. They’re two tough tours where you’re away from home a long time.
“You need to be really a hundred per cent committed to the challenges.
“The last two away trips have been pretty brutal. One was for three-and-a-half months and we found that really tough at both ends.
“The last trip was about two-and-a-half months and we found that extremely tough as well.
“The next one I think I would’ve been away for seven months of the year, it’s just too much. It’s not something I really want to do at all.”
Hussey said his wife Amy had been amazingly supportive throughout his cricket journey.
He said a fairytale Ashes finale would have been nice.
“But if you don’t quite have that heart to want to do it, then I think I’d only be selling myself and the team short,” he said.
Dubbed `Mr Cricket’, Hussey said he felt he could approach the Sydney Test without any pressure and just enjoy the experience.
His retirement will follow the departure last month of ex-skipper Ricky Ponting, Australia’s all-time leading runscorer.
Age: 37
Born: Perth, Western Australia
Left-hand middle-order batsman, right-arm medium-pace bowler
MIKE HUSSEY – TEST RECORD:
Matches: 78
Runs: 6183 runs (12th highest for Australia)
Average: 51.52
Hundreds: 19
Fifties: 29
Wickets: 7 @ 42.71
Test debut: Australia v West Indies at Brisbane, November 3-6, 2005
John
Guest
will he be around for the long haul?
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
At one stage in 2011, Mike Hussey was the ONLY batsman to average over 50 in Tests, ODIs and first-class matches; averaging 51.76 in 68 Tests, 51.17 in 166 ODIs and 52.63 (highest score 331 not out) in 256 first-class matches. Currently he averages 51.52 in Tests, 48.15 in ODIs and 52.44 in first-class (FC) matches. He also averages 37.94 in T20 internationals. A magnificent record. So he should be nicknamed not just Mr Test cricket but Mr Test, ODI, FC and T20I cricket!
Whiteline
Guest
If Warner was to get the job of leading the team song it would take a year or two to learn the lines...
Jordo73
Guest
He's left at the top of his game and even though the announcement is a shock, family and declining motivation has seen him make the call. Like Gilchrist & Warne before him, he was still performing admirably and will go out with his reputation intact. Unlike some who hang around, playing on reputation until their position becomes virtually untenable, like we have seen most recently with Ponting! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Shahid
Guest
Mr. Cricket should play further cricket for one year. It is not right time for retirement. He is at top this time in his career. Australia needs Hussey for the tour of India and next two ashes series. I am very sad to hearing this shocking announcement.
Justin2
Guest
Wade for me.
Bunratty
Guest
"Closing time"....well said from a classy gentleman.
Chivasdude
Guest
Congratulations to Huss on a grand career. A class act on and off the field, which he proved again with the timing of his retirement. He could definitely have played on, but why not leave with everyone wanting more? If only every Australian cricketer had his patience, consistency and fitness. A true professional and a great loss.
Imran
Guest
You are simply fantastic. Why I say so is that as a big time cricket follower, I have not come across one single batsman who did superbly after debuting only at the age of 30. Your fielding is perhaps the best. I know your batting average in early 2008 was a "Bradmanesque" average of the high 90s, but the Windies tour of 2008 meant it had to come down at some point as hard to maintain such averages in this age unlike in the 1940s. I also have to congratulate for retiring in a very honorable way, which many other greats have failed to do so. Hope Usman Khawaja will be your replacement. Good luck in your retirement life and you will be badly missed
Andy_Roo
Roar Guru
Good Call Mike Hussey Family comes before Australian Cricket Public every time.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Nice one Mr Cricket - go out with some dignity unlike poor old Ricky who hung around for the last 4 years like a bad smell. We need to give some youngsters a crack and not forget for a minute your contribution to test cricket and Australian fans
jamesb
Guest
On a positive note is that finally other batsman apart from Clarke need to step up. Clarke is a very good captain. I'm sure he''ll try to get the best out of his troops by giving them confidence and belief. If Australia does win the ashes next year, than Clarke will have exceeded Mark Taylor as captain. With Huss you never know. He could easily have had a poor series in India, than many people here on the Roar would want him to retire. Whilst fans, including yours truly might be a little negative with our chances at the Ashes, this is an opportunity for other batsman to make a name for themselves. So in that context, it could be an exciting period of Australian cricket. We all hope.
Rohit
Guest
Well done Huss on a great career other the biggest mistake some players make is playing on too long being picked on reputation only not performance going out on your terms early is the best way to go. Not many players retain there form from start to finish of their career. One of the greatest batsmen of all time and a great bloke.Big losses to Australian cricket in their own ways, although I'm thinking this retirement has Khawaja licking his lips, big opportunity for him and about time he got a chance to show what he can do over a few games without being picked as a injury replacement. Long Live Huss
Atawhai Drive
Guest
He is, he has a successor in mind, but he's not saying who until he talks to that person. David Warner would be a good bet.
John
Guest
Is Huss still leading the "Ode to the Wattle" at the conclusion of each winning test match? I am pretty sure that he is. It will be interesting to see who takes over the mantle.
Ross
Guest
I reckon after seeing Ponting retire he decided for himself to give the next generation a go, especially with Khawaja unlikely to get a chance to fill in for Clarke. I'd love for Hussey to keep playing though, he could definitely continue. Khawaja deserves a chance and to show what he can do at the top level. Now Australia has a chance to gel in the India tests and be ready for England. The team is certainly changing, but I still think they will be just as dominant. Aus will miss a true match winner! Another legend just fall after Ponting! Aus will be on trouble in this ashes!
Atawhai Drive
Guest
He's 37 and he has four children. Who can begrudge him choosing to stay home? But what a hole he'll leave in the middle order. We don't seem to be short of young (albeit fragile) fast bowlers. Wouldn't it be great to see a 19- or 20-year-old batsman burst out of the blocks, a la Bradman, Jackson, Harvey, O'Neill, Walters et al?
Rhys
Guest
Agree wholeheartedly Atawhai. I was hoping he'd stay on for the back to back Ashes series, and possibly even continue on just as an ODI player until the 2015 WC. His reasons for retiring are similar to a lot of the veteran players over the years - the desire to keep going is outweighed by missing home and family. Huss is surely one of the most committed cricketers to have represented Australia in the modern era. Though his stoic presence in the middle order will be sorely missed, I'm glad he has decided to retire on his own terms. A century in the Sydney Test would be a fitting finale.
jamesb
Guest
I wish he played another 12 months, but as Atawhai Drive said above with the saying "Why have you retired’? is a better question than ‘Why don’t you retire?’ So many sports people nowadays are forced into retirement. Well done Huss. Maybe replace him with his slightly younger brother maybe?
Atawhai Drive
Guest
'Why have you retired'? is a better question than 'Why don't you retire?' But I wish he could have waited.