The national selection panel has dealt Mike Hussey an inexcusable injustice by dumping him from the ODIs against Sri Lanka.
Hang your heads in shame Messrs Inverarity, Marsh, Bichel, Clarke, and Arthur.
So today at the SCG in the third Test against Sri Lanka will be Hussey’s last as an Australian international.
And he won’t remember his final Test with any joy.
He was sawn off by his captain Michael Clarke with a suicidal call – Hussey run out for 25.
Two days later Clarke was a member of the panel that sawed off Hussey’s ODI career when there were 10 games still to play before he hung up his boots altogether – five each against Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
This is a black day for Australian cricket when an icon, revered by all and sundry, has been treated so shabbily.
Selection chairman John Inverarity was pathetic in explaining why when he said it was futile to extend the 37-year-old’s career.
Futile?
Hussey averages 48.15 in 185 ODIs, the ninth best in history.
What a disgraceful comment from a non-charismatic selector about one of the most charismatic cricketers in the world.
Inverarity went on to explain the selectors were looking to the 2015 World Cup. If that’s the case why did they pick Mike Hussey’s younger brother David who has been a failure for the last year?
David Hussey is 35, and has only scored two 50-pluses in his last 16 digs.
If he stays, Hussey will be 37 by World Cup time. Inverarity has no idea, he keeps floundering in public.
And that’s one thing Mike Hussey has never ever done.
He deserves a whole lot more, no cricketer has served his country better. His dedication of the highest order.
Pity the selectors aren’t of the same calibre.
Dooka
Guest
All, On the Hussey last test issue, and the conspirocy theory that surrounds him and the Captain not getting on. Do you reckon the suicide run called by Clarke may of been done on purpose to not give him a special send off? I hear that night didn't go to plan either with Clarke riding rough shot over the team. Instead of having the send off requested by Huss it was over turned by Clarke for another event. Warner is in thick with Clarke, watch out Watson
matt h
Guest
A long shot in India may be Haddin with the gloves and Wade at number 6 bowling his 130km thunderbolts. Wade as a batsmen has done too well to ignore, but his keeping sure needs development.
matt h
Guest
How cranky would channel 9 be? Their ODI free to air showcase could have been an extended Hussey farewell. Instead no Hussey, Warner, Clarke, Watson, etc. Given they are resting, will Warner and Wade play to prop up the BBL, where crowds have generally been down a bit? That will really upset channel 9. As fans, all states bar NSW have been robbed of a chance to say goodbye to one of the true greats. That is the shame of it.
David Lord
Expert
You have nailed the real problem Mick
WQ
Guest
What an absolute load of tripe from the Australian selectors! If you need to know just what is wrong with Australian Cricket right now, you don't have to look to much further! Clearly Huss had no idea it was coming by his reaction at the press conference. I just wonder if his retirement has not got a dirty behind the scenes story involving selectors?
Atawhai Drive
Guest
Mick, it would be interesting to know how much Wade's errors have cost his team. And to what degree those errors are believed to be offset by his batting. There may be better keepers going round in Shield cricket, and I know of excellent glovemen in Sydney grade cricket who won't go beyond that level because they don't set the world on fire with the bat. But it's too late to turn back the clock and go looking for a latter-day Wally Grout or Don Tallon to take the gloves at Test level. Actually, we could afford the luxury of a specialist keeper if we had a Kallis-type all-rounder. But we don't.
Mick
Guest
Given he is the vc of the team one would expect a bit more. The Mark Philliposous of cricket.
rsingi
Roar Rookie
Spot on article David I agree with every word. With Watson and Clarke out I believe Hussey should be captaining. He is still superfit and the best one day player in the side. The selectors have lost it it was a perfect opportunity to blood some youngsters to learn from the master. I think it is a disgrace but one thing is for sure he will make a truckload for WA for the rest of the season.
Mick
Guest
Col agree that Lyons has been the hardest done by with keeping and missed chances. Atawhai Drive- in the six tests how much has Wade's missed chances produced runs in the negative? Jack Russell for the Poms post bob Taylor. Four tests in India which is one of the hardest places to keep will be interesting.
Dcnz
Guest
I can tell you that Watto was down at Cronulla having lunch today in the mid arvo so he wasn't watching Hussey bow out ...
Ryan Eckford
Roar Guru
Unfair dismissal!!!
Chivasdude
Guest
Why don't we just pick the best in-form and fit players for each match? The goal should be to win ever match after all. The public has the right to expect this. On that criteria, Hussey wold be one of the first picked for the ODIs. And anyone who condemns Hussey for retiring has no idea of the sacrifices made to play at this level. And not picking Warner? Ludicrous. The ODI game is in the doldrums and an opportunity to raise its profile has been missed. Anyway, let's celebrate a great career. Not a long one, but few more distinguished. A professional's professional and a true team man. Hussey is one of the greats. Thanks Huss.
Col
Guest
With a decent keeper, Lyon would be leading the song for years to come.....
Atawhai Drive
Guest
O'Keeffe showing his age with comments on keepers. The days of specialist keepers are long gone. Who was the last keeper, anywhere, to bat lower than 7 in the order? Bob Taylor? Wade is no great shakes as a keeper but he's already scored as many Test centuries as Shane Watson.
Mick
Guest
It shows you the difference in character between Hussey and Ponting. Ignoring records and stats Hussey went out at the top. Ponting falling over being bowled. Not sure how long Lyons will be leading the team song. Wade keeping sub par. As skull said on ABC we need to pick the best keeper in the country that can bat, not the best batsman who also keeps. Don't know the actual stats but Wade must be blowing 2 chances per innings. A missed chance against KP or Cook in the Ashes would be costly. Given the number of meaningless one dayers...case in point 7 against India use it to test fringe players. Happy for rotation in one dayers. Who cares other than world cups.
Col
Guest
Since when has the pre requisite for Test success been to have 6 or 7 bowlers who can step up anytime? It has been and will continue to always be about getting your best 4 bowlers on the park in each and every Test, something proven by SA and the Poms this last 12 months.
Jason
Guest
The umps had no choice in it. If anything blame the Sri Lankans for taking an age to bowl their overs in that time.
David Lord
Guest
Clsrke, Warner, and Wade rested, Hussey wanted to play.
Gerry@YourLawnAndGarden
Guest
David, we left the SCG when they took that break, the umps have no empathy as far I could see.
David Lord
Guest
Bigfella, saw Huss on Channel 9 saying he wanted to play but you can't have everything,