Mike Hussey should arm wrestle Chris Gayle for the title of best IPL batsman. Sure, he would lose, literally, but figuratively Hussey has undeniable claims to be deemed the tournament’s best bat thus far after his consistent brilliance for the Super Kings.
Gayle’s unbeaten 175 not out against hapless Pune Warriors melted social media, ensuring his bludgeoning batting will forever be the indelible image of IPL 6.
But in characteristic fashion, Hussey has been the tournament’s most reliable batsman, scoring 445 runs (74 avg) with just two failures in eight innings.
He’s always been a dependable presence at the crease but few could have predicted he would become a destructive tour de force in the coloured clothing.
Hussey was moulded by the longer format and thus derided earlier in his career as ‘boring’ and incapable of crueling an attack.
The lack of brawn did not perturb Hussey. Instead, he compensated with brain and meticulously learned how to expand his repertoire.
His Mr Cricket moniker is so much more than merely one of cricket’s coolest nicknames. Due to intense dedication and mental aptitude, Hussey spent a decade honing his craft before international opportunity arose.
A whirlwind eight-year Australian career cemented his legacy as one of the elite few to be considered a legitimate great in all three formats.
Adaptability has been integral to Hussey’s ascension to unexpected greatness, as he successfully integrated the traits of fellow icons into his batsmanship.
He has the patience of Dravid. He possesses Kallis’ composure. He has Bevan’s innate ability to expertly chase down a forlorn target.
His brutal 95 against Kolkata reinforces his capability of eviscerating an opposition as ruthless, albeit not as spectacular, as Gayle.
In other words, Hussey is cricket’s complete batsman.
Mr Cricket’s IPL heroics are bittersweet for an Australian supporter. Days shy of his 38th birthday, Hussey remains Australia’s best batsman and leader not named Michael Clarke.
It’s not surprising Australia’s middle order became more fragile than Shane Watson’s jelly-like physique once Hussey retired from international cricket in January. Australia’s get-out-of-jail card was gone.
Hussey, along with Clarke, had covered the cracks in Australia’s brittle batting for an eternity. Without Hussey rescuing Australia’s shaky top-order, the batting meekly disintegrated in India.
Australian fans have been consumed with a myriad of emotions since Hussey’s retirement. Initially, there was genuine excitement that a young talent could emerge as a key plank in the battling line-up.
Unfortunately, the aforementioned Indian nightmare has now riddled Australian supporters with panic, exacerbated by looming twin Ashes series.
Desperate Aussie fans have consumed social media space and talkback airwaves with pleas for a comeback. Hussey would plug the dearth of experience, batting talent and leadership blighting Australia’s prospects of reclaiming the Ashes, they bellow.
Hold that thought.
Admittedly, I romanticise sports. Personally, watching sports has always been escapism from the banality of ‘normal’ existence. In the scheme of life, sport shouldn’t be important. Not when there are relationships, bills and health to worry about.
Yet, it has always been catharsis for me. I become too emotionally attached with teams, results and individuals.
Sometimes, I forget that sports aren’t fairy tales. Example? I long for my heroes to depart at their zenith, on their volition and amid the euphoria of a grand finale.
This is an unrealistic expectation. Players too often stay past their primes. One shouldn’t begrudge this because a professional sports career is fleeting. But it always gnaws at me when a hero becomes mere mortal.
I cringe when I think of Ricky Ponting being humiliated against South Africa and lament his decision not to retire after his redemption series against India 12 months earlier. I too fear that Father Time has conquered Tendulkar.
Back to Hussey. He is one of the most self-determined players who have ever graced a cricket pitch.
Clearly, he is in sublime touch and would relish the challenge in England. He is capable of defying obstacles.
Despite hosing down the speculation, I fear Hussey is contemplating a shock comeback. After all, he was part of a team that has lost the past two Ashes series.
Plus, there is the added motivation of atoning for his mediocre 2009 Ashes, where he averaged just 34.5 during his lone series in England.
I’m sure it’s gut-wrenching for Hussey to witness the plight of Aussie cricket.
But I don’t want to witness Hussey battling plight. The possibility of Anderson or Swann embarrassing him frightens me.
Contrary to most, I loved the timing of his retirement. I’ve always preferred players leaving an impression that they left a tad early than vice versa.
Anyway, Australian cricket needs to find new heroes. It’s time to stop constantly looking in the rear-view mirror.
So, I’m probably the lone Australian on the planet with these sentiments. But here I go.
I hope Hussey resists the urge of an Ashes comeback. I don’t want him burdened with propping Australia’s flimsy batting line-up.
I want to cherish his fairy-tale international career.
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