Hussey In Waiting For Test Call

Sun Herald

Sunday July 10, 2005

By CHLOE SALTAU LONDON

THE fine finishing touches displayed by Mike Hussey in recent one-day games have edged the West Australian to the verge of Test selection should injury strike any of Australia's batsmen during the Ashes.

Hussey, who is not in the Test squad but heads into today's game against England at Lord's boasting a tour average of 129, will remain in England to captain Durham when the one-day phase of the summer finishes this week.

That means he won't be far from the team if a replacement batsman is needed at short notice.

Hussey was initially kept out of the Test squad by Victoria's Brad Hodge, who the selectors suggested was next in line to step into Australia's middle order on the strength of his years of heavy scoring in first-class games.

Hussey, who has strengthened his case by continually saving Australia from embarrassment on this tour, appears to have become a trusted source of on-field advice for captain Ricky Ponting.

As a practised opener, he's adaptable enough to bat anywhere in the order a fact recognised when the selectors asked him to remain in New Zealand as cover for the injured Matthew Hayden early this year.

"I'm not a selector but I would imagine he [Hussey] would have been one who was probably spoken about before the Test squad was announced," Ponting said.

Hussey produced another clear-headed, top-scoring innings at Headingley on Thursday, in conditions the more celebrated Australian batsmen found treacherous. He has been dismissed only three times in his 13-match international career, in which he has seamlessly replaced the famed batting artist of the one-day game, Michael Bevan.

"Nearly every game on tour he has been the man that has put his hand up and done the job," Ponting said.

For Hussey, who has an insider's knowledge of the England bowlers, and Durham teammate Stephen Harmison in particular, the prospect of a Test call-up from outside the squad is a potential advantage of remaining in England.

"Knowing the bowlers and the conditions definitely helps to a degree, but I've been coming in a bit later and definitely some of the shine, albeit only some, has gone off the ball," Hussey said.

"I'll be back up to Durham, trying to get us promoted and win the second division, but if an opportunity came to be involved in the Test team that would be out of this world."

© 2005 Sun Herald

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