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Hussey can't wait for clash with Flintoff

17th December, 2014
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A reinvigorated Mike Hussey is relishing locking horns with old nemesis Andrew Flintoff in Sunday’s Big Bash encounter between Sydney Thunder and Brisbane Heat at ANZ Stadium.

The West Australian retired from the international scene in 2013 after a hugely successful career where he represented Australia in all three forms of the game for the best part of a decade – earning him the nickname Mr Cricket – a tag bestowed upon him by Flintoff midway through a county game.

Hussey, 39, said he’s never regretted his decision and the opportunity to still play in both the IPL and the Big Bash allows him to maintain his competitive edge.

“I miss the boys in the team that is for sure, but the time away from home, the stress, the pressure and the travel is something I don’t miss whatsoever,” Hussey told AAP.

“It’s been a much better life balance at home with the family and with friends. I can then get away and have my cricket fix as well which is nice.”

Flintoff and Hussey faced off in two Ashes series with each enjoying success at one another’s expense.

Hussey enjoyed a scintillating series against an England side skippered by Flintoff in 2006/07 where he averaged 91.6 with the bat as Ricky Ponting’s side regained the urn with a brilliant 5-0 series triumph.

However, he also experienced the bitter disappointment of losing to a Flintoff-inspired England in 2009 with the talismanic all-rounder helping his side to a 2-1 win.

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Flintoff called time on his career in 2010, finally succumbing to a succession of knee and ankle injuries.

However, after four years out of the game he came out of retirement to play for Lancashire in the English Twenty-20 season and helped the team reach the final last August.

That success led to Brisbane offering him a BBL contract and Hussey can’t wait to come up against him again.

“We’ve both had success over each other and he’s a great competitor and a great character,” Hussey said.

“I am looking forward to the battle of playing against him. Knowing him, he will be very keen to do well here in Australia and impress his fans.

“He retired because of his injuries and I guess he had time to recover and rediscovered a burning desire to play cricket.

“It’s going to be fun and a great opportunity for him.

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“Getting in to the England team isn’t the be all and end all for him any more and he can enjoy the game for what it is.”

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