With the senior Hussey (Michael) no longer in the Test side after bowing out after Sydney, it leaves Australia’s middle order crippled, vulnerable and very inexperienced.
Both Ricky Ponting and Hussey had 247 Tests between them. And now with both retired, the only player/s in the middle order who has played more than 20 Tests from number three down are Michael Clarke and Shane Watson (when fit).
Clarke and Watson are the two batsman in Australia’s top seven that have descent records in England with Clarke scoring 448 runs at 64 in the 2009 series and Watson 240 runs at 48 (in three Tests).
Phil Hughes is the other batsman to have played in England and his record is a miserable 97 runs at 16 (two Tests).
If Australia is to have any chance in the upcoming series, it cannot afford to bring in another rookie who has played only a handful of first-class matches and has never played in England.
Usman Khawaja looks the likely replacement for Hussey for the Indian tour but he has only played one season in for Derbyshire in county cricket.
One player who must be considered or given a spot for the first Test at Trent Bridge is David Hussey. Although Hussey is yet to play a Test for Australia, he plays for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and has had many prolific years, scoring over 1000 runs in on three occasions for three seasons including a high score of 275.
Though Hussey has only played in two of the last four seasons, his record suggests he is the perfect batsman for the swing and seaming conditions of England.
Another option could be Hussey’s Victorian teammate Cameron White. Since 2005, White has played for Somerset and he has a good record in county cricket.
He also scored 228 runs at 57 for the Nottinghamshire Steelbacks in the Friend Life T20 competition in 2012 and should be considered despite the fact he has not played a Test for Australia since 2008 and has not scored an ODI or T20 half-century since 2010.
Even Chris Rogers, who averages over 50 and has scored over 15,000 first-class runs with a high score of 319 playing for Northamptonshire, is an option.
Whatever the selectors do, come the Ashes, they must select one of these players or even consider them to give Australia the best chance.
I believe David Hussey should be given a chance straight away, even in India.
If the selectors don’t go for an experienced county cricket campaigner for that first Test, it will leave Australia’s middle order very, very vulnerable and the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Tremlett will be licking their lips.
Slimey_Sam
Guest
Hughes Warner Khawaja Watson Clarke Hussey.D Haddin Johnson Cutting Pattinson Cummins
Robie
Guest
KHawaja is a must for the ashes and the Indian series. We will have a very brittle batting lineup, we need Khawaja in the order. For the Indian series Khawaja should come in at 4 as this will allow Watson to open the batting. Keep Wade at 7 as he is best suited to that position as keeper batsman. Khawaja just showed us in the last few T20 game what he’s capable of. When all but one other batsman could score no more than 20, Khawaja scored a stylish 66 not out. The more opportunities he receives at the highest level, the more such performances will occur with greater frequency.Come on selectors. Do you need some rank amateur such as myself, to point out the bleeding obvious to you. Select Khawaja
brian
Guest
Hahahah nah I'm from nsw ironically, but I really believe d hussey should be picked , especially since m hussey can guide him through
brian
Guest
Haha nah I am a new south welshman ironically
Bobo
Guest
You wouldn't be Victorian by any chance, Brian?
Matt F
Roar Guru
I would think that you'd pick the best player. The fact that D Hussey (or White or Rogers for that matter) hasn't been picked in the test squad all summer would suggest that the selectors don't see him in at least the top 8 batsmen in the country. The fact that he's averaged 17 in the Shield this season has to rule him out right? Besides, for all of his experience in first class cricket, and in both India and England, he is completely inexperienced at test level as he hasn't played any. I can't help but notice that the three players you mention all happen to be state teammates. You wouldn't happen to be from a certain state starting with V by any chance would you? ;)
saad
Guest
We cannot get rid of Cowan because he is backed by those persons who like him. David Hussey and Chris Roger has no background so they could not get a place in team. Players need a rich background to get a permanent place in team. Cricket Australia is culpit of David Hussey and Chris Roger. We could defeat South Africa if NSP gave a chance to David Hussey and Chris Roger on the place for Edward Cowan and Rob Quiney.
saad
Guest
Cricket Australia has wasted two legends D. Hussey and Chris Roger. May be cricket australia has no interested in these persons. Their statistics clearly show me that cricket Australia don't like Roger and D. Hussey.
TheGenuineTailender
Roar Guru
Get rid of Ed Cowan for a start. Slot Watson back up to the top of the order, Usman comes into the middle order and David Hussey is the perfect like-for-like replacement for his brother at number six.
pope paul v11
Guest
Khawaja has had 2 seasons at Derbyshire. Sadly for Rogers and Huss, D their best days are behind them while Ussie's are ahead. Australia will probably still lose but at least they will be closer to winning. With Roge and Huss they will definately lose.
Robie
Guest
Disagree simply because David h is averaging 17 in shield this season, khawaja should come in ad he was standin batsman, if however we get rid of Cowan then we may have space for David which I would be ok with
AndyMack
Guest
Hi For the first ashes test, i would pick both Rogers and D Hussey. With Clarke, Warner, UTK, and either Watson or Hughes as the top 6. Good mix of youth and experience. Not a long term outlook, but surely winning the ashes in england is the #1 goal, and we should hit it with our best players. Good article btw.