Mr Cricket - The Perfectionist

83*,8,41,61,9,46,79*

A total of 327 in just 7 matches he played, Michael Hussey would have very well be the owner of the orange cap had he played in the opening 2 games for the Chennai Super Kings. Not for no reason he is being called Mr. Cricket. He contributes to cricket rather to a specific team – country or club. Even the great Don Bradman has not been called that way. He may have been given the ‘Sir’ but still Mr. Cricket stands equivalent to somebody who is almost perfect and neat and knowledgeable in whatever he does.

Hussey joined the Chennai Super Kings for the second half of the 2010 Indian Premier League

Super King

to reverse the fortunes of the side which eventually went on to win the title that year. Proving that age doesn’t matter to create history, Hussey scored the 2nd hundred of the IPL tournament in his very first IPL outing (scored 116 against Kings XI Punjab). He is a compact, tidy, crafted player and a great stroke maker which is evident from his 50+ averages in both tests and one day internationals. Hussey is the fastest to reach 1000 test runs in just 166 days. He is Australia’s crisis man most times. His unhurried nature is best portrayed in many match winning partnerships, most notably with the tail ender’s. Hussey scored 107 runs for the 10th wicket with Glenn McGrath against SA in 2005/2006 and against Bangladesh, was involved in a 320-run partnership with the night watchman Jason Gillespie.In one dayers, Hussey can be considered ‘a finisher‘, a most likely replacement for Michael Bevan. He can pace his game to score quickly or can slow down when needed.

During Gary Kirsten’s tenure as Team India coach, he lashed out at few youngsters on fitness and dedication. The example he quoted to follow was none other than Michael Hussey referring to the 34 year old’s (then, in 2010) fitness and approach to the game.

‘The Independent‘ journal described Hussey in his early international days (2006) as -

If his innings were hand-written notes there would be no deletions or repetitions, and the punctuation would be impeccable.

– This shows why he was declared the Australia’s ODI batsman of 2006.

Nobody can explain on Hussey’s rise and rise and rise only. It may be because he played more amount of test cricket (on English soil), more than anyone could have played, scoring centuries, doubles and triples. Looked like Hussey was born just for Cricket.

There is no turning back for Hussey ever since his debut

Through those ten years of abundant cricket, through those 15000+ first class runs and through those years of negligence from Australia selectors, Hussey learnt patience and as well to fight it out and that is what has lead him to where he is now. He knows the importance of every run scored and the amount of effort put into it. A footballer, a squash player and a teacher, Hussey’s passion towards the cricket never reduced during those tough times before his call for national duty and it still continues which makes him an integral part of the Australia Test and Limited over’s squad. He was not passionate only towards cricket but also towards his role model Allan Border which made him to change his batting style to left handed.

In this world of cricket we have seen many cricketers who got opportunities, few shaped it to the top and some faded out. But there are few deserving cricketers who got the chance very late in their career and Mr Cricket got it and made sure he utilized aptly. In the current scenario when many budding youngsters are bursting into international scene even before making double digit number of matches on domestic circuit, Hussey was the only player who was made to wait longer then needed.

You should be picked on merit. I had to earn it and I want to make sure the next bloke has to earn his chance as I had to. That will make for a better Australian team in the future

– said Hussey when he was handed the baggy green.

Michael Hussey is a complete package of patience, intensity and perseverance. Really, Mr. Cricket.