Michael Hussey
- Date of Birth 1975-5-27
- Role middle-order batter
- Batting Style left-hand bat
- Bowling Style right-arm medium
Debut Matches
| Format | Match | Date |
|---|---|---|
| TEST | AUS vs WI | 2005-11-03 |
| ODI | IND vs AUS | 2004-02-01 |
| T20 | AUS vs NZ | 2005-02-17 |
| vs | 1970-01-01 |
Recent Performances
Batting Statistics
Matches
79
Innings
137
Runs
6235
Average
51.52
Strike Rate
50.13
Highest Score
195
100s
19
50s
29
Fours
685
Sixes
39
Catches
85
Bowling Statistics
Matches
79
Innings
32
Wickets
7
Average
43.71
Economy
3.12
Strike Rate
84
Best Figure
1/0
4 Wickets
0
5 Wickets
0
Balls Bowled
588
Runs Conceded
306
Batting Statistics
Matches
185
Innings
157
Runs
5442
Average
48.15
Strike Rate
87.16
Highest Score
109*
100s
3
50s
39
Fours
383
Sixes
80
Catches
105
Bowling Statistics
Matches
185
Innings
13
Wickets
2
Average
117.5
Economy
5.87
Strike Rate
120
Best Figure
1/22
4 Wickets
0
5 Wickets
0
Balls Bowled
240
Runs Conceded
235
Batting Statistics
Matches
38
Innings
30
Runs
721
Average
37.94
Strike Rate
136.29
Highest Score
60*
100s
0
50s
4
Fours
58
Sixes
25
Catches
20
Bowling Statistics
Matches
38
Innings
1
Wickets
0
Average
-
Economy
5
Strike Rate
-
Best Figure
-
4 Wickets
0
5 Wickets
0
Balls Bowled
6
Runs Conceded
5
Batting Statistics
Matches
381
Innings
346
Runs
12123
Average
44.08
Strike Rate
78.96
Highest Score
123
100s
12
50s
90
Fours
Sixes
Catches
200
Bowling Statistics
Matches
381
Innings
Wickets
20
Average
41.45
Economy
6.32
Strike Rate
39.3
Best Figure
3/52
4 Wickets
0
5 Wickets
0
Balls Bowled
786
Runs Conceded
829
Batting Statistics
Matches
161
Innings
149
Runs
4569
Average
37.45
Strike Rate
124.9
Highest Score
116*
100s
1
50s
35
Fours
423
Sixes
121
Catches
77
Bowling Statistics
Matches
161
Innings
1
Wickets
0
Average
-
Economy
5
Strike Rate
-
Best Figure
-
4 Wickets
0
5 Wickets
0
Balls Bowled
6
Runs Conceded
5
An accumulator who is virtually impossible to distract at the crease, Michael Hussey waited a decade before becoming an overnight star. Others might have given up, or at least relaxed, during all that time in the backblocks of the Sheffield Shield and County Championship, but Hussey maintained the intensity and was soon living in a statistical world occupied by few others. After two years in the Test side his average rose to 86.18; it had already taken 29 ODIs for his mean to drop below 100. In just 166 days he become the fastest player to 1000 Test runs, but he was reluctant to dwell on the records because he knew the sky-high ride wouldn't last.
He was right and the recession hit hard in 2008-09. Despite being forced to battle for runs and his spot in the various teams, he continued to talk cheerfully and walk quickly. As a batsman he is old fashioned, preferring to work and caress the ball, especially through cover with a crisp drive. There are times when he breaks free - batting with the No.11 or in the final stages of a limited-overs innings - and in that mood he can pull ferociously, but mostly he travels at a safe speed. If they let him, he would bat for a week without becoming bored.
Having grown up as a specialist opener, he has spent most of his time in the middle order with Australia and hasn't complained. His team ethic is on display in the field, where he is a reliable catcher at gully and a regular encourager, and he is scrupulous at practice. The overall attitude earned him the Mr Cricket nickname, a moniker of fun and extreme respect.
His doggedness at the crease created perceptions of his inability to stay in tune with the T20 format, but he busted the myth in a freak innings - an unbeaten 24-ball 60 in which he razed down 18 needed off the last over, bowled by Saeed Ajmal, to take Australia into the 2010 World T20 final. Having established himself in the shortest format, he then played a key role in Chennai Super Kings achieving the IPL and Champions League double in 2010, followed by another IPL crown in 2011.
Hussey's entry may have been a quiet one, but his announcement of an international retirement in December 2012 invoked shock. He, however continued to play in the shortest format as a freelance cricketer. He played for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League from 2011 to 2013, before moving to Sydney Thunder, with whom he won the title in January 2016.
In between his stints as a global T20 star, Hussey also undertook short-term assignments as batting consultant with South Africa and Australia. In February 2016, St Lucia Zouks acquired his services for a season when they signed him for USD 90,000 at the CPL draft.
ESPNcricinfo staff
ESPNcricinfo staff