Michael Hussey : The Man Who Encapsulates Cricket

Even after being widely known as Mr. Cricket, he is one of the most underrated geniuses that Australian Cricket has produced. Among the stories of overshadowed cricketers in that great 2000s era, Michael Hussey’s story is one of grit, grind and glory.

Growing up in the suburbs of Western Australia, Hussey used to emulate his hero – the then Aussie Captain Alan Border. In those summer days of playing in the backyard with brother David, little Michael shifted from being right-handed to left-handed, in hopes of one day looking and playing much like the man he idolized.

That’s not where the love for the game stopped. Not too long from that, at the age of 19 : Hussey would get his first taste of First-Class Cricket. He made his Sheffield Shield debut in 1994, and was regarded as a young prodigy to look out for. But that’s when life became difficult. With a star studded Australian batting line-up, Mike Hussey would find it hard to break into the national set-up, and had to wait 11 long years before getting the coveted Baggy Green. Once the arduous wait was over, the left-hander found his way into the side, courtesy an injury to Justin Langer. But the first test wasn’t a memorable one, as Hussey skied one up and got dismissed at a measly score.

The second test was different, though. Away from the noise of Brisbane, the calmness of Hobart is just what Hussey was looking for, as he eased his way to his first International 100, thereby stamping his authority and showing his class.

Since then Mike Hussey has played a plethora of memorable knocks. His match-winning knock in the ‘Amazing Adelaide’ test, his innings with the tail against South Africa, the crucial cameo against Pakistan at the World T20 or his comeback 195 at the GABBA against England are a few of many magnificent contributions that he has made to Australian Cricket.

Despite growing up and playing all his Cricket in Perth, where the surface is known to only support pace & bounce, Michael Hussey was regarded as one of the best players of spin in the world. His immaculate use of the crease and calculated sweep strokes put him in a different league of Cricketers altogether. He has scored big runs in dust-bowls against the likes of Kumble and Harbhajan, where most would’ve faltered. Besides playing spin wonderfully, Hussey was also known for his crisp, easy on the eyes cover drives that can make a viewer fall in love with the art of batting.

Not just the technique, but even his character was commendable throughout his career. Hussey was known for his incredible work-ethic and his phenomenal play-hard attitude. He gave his all to his side. Hussey would contribute in any way that he could, be it with the bat, the ball, or even as a Keeper! And by the end of it all he was still appreciative of the opposition. It’s no surprise that a gentleman like him is known as Mr. Cricket, a sport that is said to be the gentleman’s game.

Although a late bloomer in International Cricket, the career is nothing short of noteworthy. He has been a part of some of Australia’s biggest Cricketing achievements in the 2000s. With over 12,000 runs at the pinnacle level of Cricket, it would be fair to say that Cricketers across the world can, and should take a leaf out of Michael Hussey’s book.

– Vibhor Dubey

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